Black Sabbath’s swan song is set to go down as one of the biggest metal send-offs of all time.
But even with a lineup packed tighter than a vintage Ozzfest mainstage, Sharon Osbourne’s still got a couple of names she wishes made the cut.
Speaking to Music Business Worldwide ahead of the July 5 ‘Back to the Beginning’ gig at Birmingham’s Villa Park, Sharon revealed two glaring absences from the farewell bill: Judas Priest and AC/DC’s Angus Young.
“There are two bands that we would have loved to have been there, but they couldn’t because they’re working that day,” she said. “Judas Priest, a local band, and Angus [Young], because he’s always been a huge supporter of Ozzy’s.”
It stings even more knowing Priest frontman Rob Halford apparently didn’t even know about the show until it was too late. Sharon says she offered him a private jet to get him in and out for a quick guest spot, but Halford called it “too dangerous” with their existing schedule.
Still, Sabbath’s last stand is hardly lacking firepower. Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Tool, KoRn, Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, and the surviving members of Soundgarden are all on deck. Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello is handling music director duties. And yes, it’s being live streamed worldwide, so no one’s missing this one – even if they’re not physically at Villa Park.
Sharon says the idea started as a tribute to Ozzy’s history – “having all the bands he’s ever had relationships with perform” – and has since snowballed into a full-scale multi-generational celebration of heavy music.
As for Ozzy, he’s throwing everything he’s got into making it to that stage. Despite recent surgeries and Parkinson’s, he’s “giving 120 percent,” training hard, and planning to appear – whether standing, sitting, or flying across the stadium on a throne. Because of course he is.
Judas Priest or not, this isn’t just another gig. It’s a chapter closing – and Sabbath, for better or worse, are the ones holding the pen.
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