Get the latest gossip

‘The greatest heavy metal show ever’? Original Black Sabbath lineup to reunite for Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert


Epic lineup convenes for farewell to heavy metal icon at Birmingham’s Villa Park stadium in July, with Metallica, Slayer, Pantera and many more in support

It is fantasy-fulfilling news for rock fans, who didn’t dare to suspect that the original quartet of Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward would ever play together again, not only because of their combined age of 303, but because of fractious relations between them. Playing potent melody and psychedelic moods with crushing force, inspired in part by the industrial sounds of their native Birmingham, they shaped the entire style of heavy metal. Osbourne publicly upbraided him and said Ward wasn’t up to playing thanks to shoulder surgery, writing on Facebook: “Deep down inside you knew you weren’t capable of doing the album and a 16-month tour … So how is all of this my fault?

Get the Android app

Or read this on The Guardian

Read more on:

Photo of Ozzy Osbourne’s

Ozzy Osbourne’s

Photo of Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath

Related news:

News photo

Ozzy Osbourne ‘shocked’ as Birmingham votes to honour Black Sabbath

News photo

Master and apprentice! Star-struck Jack Black welcomes Ozzy Osbourne at the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame after admitting Black Sabbath 'changed his life' -  as Tenacious D go on hiatus after ill-advised Trump assassination gag

News photo

Billy Idol, Jelly Roll Cover Ozzy Osbourne to Celebrate Singer at Rock Hall Induction