Black Sabbath’s Final Show: Behind the Scenes
The recent passing of Ozzy Osbourne has shed light on the hidden challenges the band faced during their last performance.
Tony Iommi, the guitarist and co-founder of Black Sabbath, shared in an interview that Osbourne was “irritated” during their farewell concert on July 5. He passed away on July 22 at 76, just weeks after the performance.
According to Iommi, Osbourne wanted to stand up while performing, which contributed to his frustration. The 77-year-old guitarist remarked during a talk with ITV, “I think he was also annoyed by the move.” Osbourne, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020, had to sit in a black leather chair for the show at Birmingham’s Villa Park.
The chair, adorned with bat motifs, seemed iconic for Osbourne, but it wasn’t what his bandmates envisioned. Iommi expressed to BBC Radio 4 that having Ozzy sit on stage felt odd. “That’s the last thing Ozzy ever wanted to be,” he stated, recalling how the singer usually energized the crowd by bouncing around and engaging playfully with the audience.
Iommi also shared that he texted Osbourne the day before his death, noting that Ozzy felt exhausted and low on energy. “We could see it in the rehearsal,” he explained, mentioning they often tried not to have him at every rehearsal due to the strain it caused.
Despite the circumstances, Iommi emphasized the significance of the final performance for them all. “This is what we built up,” he reflected. “He was able to see all the people, and we could finish that way.” However, the quickness of Osbourne’s decline took everyone by surprise, leaving them in shock.
In the wake of the news, Iommi shared a tribute on Instagram. He posted nostalgic pictures of Osbourne with the band, expressing disbelief over the loss, saying, “I can’t believe it! My dear friend Ozzy passed away a few weeks after the show.” The heartfelt message conveyed a deep sense of loss.
Other band members also shared their grief. Bassist Geezer Butler, 76, posted on Instagram, “Goodbye dear friend – thank you for all these years – we had so much fun.” Drummer Bill Ward, 77, expressed his sorrow on social media, reminiscing about their memories together and extending his condolences to Osbourne’s family and fans.
