BLACK SABBATH Give Their Final Interview Ahead Farewell Show: “The Original Sabbath Will Never Be On Stage Together Again”

With their final farewell set for tomorrow, July 5th, at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK, the legendary BLACK SABBATH lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward have given what’s being billed as their last-ever joint interview.

In a newly published feature with Classic Rock, the pioneering heavy metal icons reflected on their career, their turbulent journey through decades of lineup changes and reunions, and why this ‘Back To The Beginning’ sendoff truly marks the end.

Though both Sabbath and Ozzy have walked back previous retirement announcements in the past, the group appears firm this time, citing age and health concerns as deciding factors. With all four original members now in their mid-70s, the reality of a final goodbye feels concrete.

Ozzy, whose ongoing health battles have kept him off the road in recent years, was clear about the importance of this show:

“‘Important’ isn’t the word I would use. This is my farewell show. I am very blessed to say my goodbyes with the help of so many amazing musicians and friends.”

He continued:

“It’s very important, the original Sabbath will never be on stage together again. From the late sixties, we’re probably one of the only bands where the original members are still alive and speaking with one another.”

Butler added:

“The whole point of this last show was to finish with the original four of us playing together, so I wouldn’t have contemplated it without Bill.”

Iommi echoed the sentiment, stating he wouldn’t have agreed to the show without all four original members on board.

---

Disappointment Over 13 and The Rick Rubin Experience

Despite their monumental legacy, Butler and Iommi didn’t shy away from voicing frustration with the band’s 2013 album 13. The main point of contention? Producer Rick Rubin (Slayer, Beastie Boys), who they felt took too much control.

Iommi shared:

“I’ve been approached about doing a Sabbath album… I went to Los Angeles with three CDs full of ideas, but [Rubin] made us strip everything down. He wanted it to sound like the first album. But you can’t recreate that… it’s a shame Bill didn’t play on it, but it was difficult.”

Butler also reflected on the writing process:

“I was led to believe Ozzy would write all the lyrics, but Rick Rubin insisted I write them… trying to think of thirteen subjects the night before committing them to recording gave me headaches.”

---

Is This Truly the End?

While Iommi was clear that he’s shutting the door on future Sabbath performances:

“No, we’re not [going to play another reunion show.] I didn’t originally want to do this one… I thought that was it.”

Butler, on the other hand, left a sliver of the door cracked:

“I’ll never say never, because I’ve said never too many times before… But I seriously think this is the actual end, unless someone digs us up or finds our DNA in the future and recreates us.”

---

Who’s Playing at Back To The Beginning?

Tomorrow’s sold-out Back To The Beginning concert will feature the final live performances from Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, alongside a massive cast of rock and metal royalty.

Main lineup includes:
Metallica
Guns N’ Roses
Slayer
Tool
Pantera
Gojira
Halestorm
Alice In Chains
Lamb Of God
Anthrax
Mastodon
Rival Sons

Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) will serve as musical director for an all-star Sabbath/Ozzy tribute set featuring:

Andrew Watt
Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins)
Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Danny Carey (Tool)
David Draiman (Disturbed)
David Ellefson (ex-Megadeth)
Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses)
Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit)
Lzzy Hale (Halestorm)
Jake E. Lee (ex-Ozzy Osbourne)
Jonathan Davis (Korn)
KK Downing (KK’s Priest)
Mike Bordin (Faith No More/Ozzy)
Papa V Perpetua (Ghost)
Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot)
Sammy Hagar (ex-Van Halen)
Slash (Guns N’ Roses)
Soundgarden
Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
II (Sleep Token)
Vernon Reid (Living Colour)
Whitfield Crane (Ugly Kid Joe)

The event will be livestreamed worldwide via backtothebeginning.com. A portion of proceeds will go toward Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.

---

Do you love independent bands, or are you in one? The Mosh Network is not just a rock/metal news website, but it doubles as an independent band directory, designed so that visitors can browse independent bands by not just subgenre, but location as well. It’s perfect to keep your finger on the pulse of your area’s hottest and newest bands or if you’re in a band, it’s a great way to find bands to network with! Click the banner below and start discovering bands all over the world, now!