Tony Iommi , guitarist for Black Sabbath , will take the stage with the band for the last time at their farewell show, which will take place on July 5th at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK. In addition to Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, drummer Bill Ward , and, of course, legendary vocalist Ozzy Osbourne , will also be part of the performance.
In an interview with Music Week [via Blabbermouth ], Iommi said he was excited for the Black Sabbath celebration. However, because it's a festival involving several other bands, the veteran also feels apprehensive:
“This will be something very big and monumental, if everything goes well. What worries me is the unknown. We don't know what will happen. Normally, when we went on tour, we rehearsed, went through the repertoire for a while, and it was just us. But, in this event, there are many other variables involved.”
Tony Iommi comments on Ozzy Osbourne's health.
During the chat, the guitarist also commented on Ozzy Osbourne's health. Battling Parkinson's disease, the vocalist can no longer walk and will therefore perform the show seated on a throne : "We're used to seeing Ozzy running around the stage, but he certainly won't be doing that at this show. I don't know if he'll perform standing, sitting on a throne, or in some other way."
Even after numerous shows with Black Sabbath, Iommi admitted to still feeling a slight anxiety before going on stage: “When we start playing, we’ll know we’re really doing it. There’s always that nervous feeling, even on previous tours, there’s always that anxiety beforehand, but the moment arrives, we do it and everything works out.”
Which other bands will be playing at the farewell show?
Titled Back To The Beginning , Black Sabbath's final show will reunite the band's five original members to play for the first and last time in 20 years. In addition to Black Sabbath, the festival lineup features rock and metal giants such as Metallica , Guns N' Roses , Tool , Slayer , Alice In Chains , Pantera , Gojira , Halestorm , Lamb of God , Anthrax , Mastodon , Rival Sons , and other bands already confirmed.
The proceeds from the event will be split equally between the charities Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice.
READ ALSO: Sharon Osbourne pulls band from Black Sabbath's farewell show: "Big mess"
