Ozzy Osbourne confirms he’s “done, done, done” following Black Sabbath farewell show
Ozzy Osbourne has looked ahead to his farewell show with Black Sabbath on July 5th at Villa Park in Birmingham, confirming it will be the final time that he takes to the stage.
The huge concert, which sold out within hours of tickets going on sale, marks the first time the metal pioneers’ original line-up of Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward have played as Black Sabbath in more than two decades.
In a new interview with Mojo, Osbourne explained why playing with Ward again, who didn’t participate in the band’s last reunion tour, is a huge incentive, sharing, “It’s very important that Bill is a part of this show. My career started with Bill, and I’d really like to finish with Bill by my side”
When asked about his feelings ahead of the performance, the Black Sabbath frontman admitted, “Even if it was a regular gig, I would be a nervous wreck. I was born nervous. Right now, I’m feeling grateful and proud and I’m sure I’ll be feeling dozens more emotions on the day of the show.”
While rock stars have frequently performed farewell shows in the past before quickly cutting their retirement short, Osbourne, who has Parkinson’s, has no plans to stage a comeback, stating, “After this show, I’m going home, closing the door and will look back upon the great career I’ve had. But I’m done, done, done! You gotta know when to call it quits.”
Osbourne previously said in another recent interview how ill health enforced his decision to call a day upon his career, sharing, “I’d love to say ‘never say never’, but after the last six years or so … it is time.”
Meanwhile, the band’s guitarist, Tony Iommi, shared his worries ahead of the show earlier this month to Music Week. “This would be a big, monumental thing if it all comes good,” but also noted, “The worrying thing for me is the unknown. We don’t know what’s going to happen.”
In addition to Black Sabbath, the line-up for the festivities also includes Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Mastodon, Tool as well as members of Limp Bizkit, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megadeth, Van Halen, Ghost, and Faith No More. The concert is also available to live-stream for £24.99.
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