Tony Iommi, the legendary guitarist of BLACK SABBATH, has admitted that he was initially opposed to the idea of the band’s final concert. As one of the pioneering figures in heavy metal, Iommi’s reservations about ending BLACK SABBATH’s story with a farewell show stemmed from his reluctance to follow the footsteps of other bands who made similar promises, only to break them later with return tours.
In an interview with The Guardian, Iommi opened up about his initial hesitation. “I’m the one that said, ‘I don’t know if we should do it,’ because we did a farewell tour and I didn’t want to get into that thing like all the other bands are doing, saying it’s the last tour and then reappearing again,” Iommi explained. He was concerned about the credibility of making a “final” concert, only to see other groups doing the same after claiming it was their last tour.
Despite his initial doubts, Iommi revealed that the event, now set for July 5, 2025, in Birmingham, England, eventually convinced him. “I’ve been convinced, because we’re doing it for a reason… No one’s getting paid or anything,” he shared. BLACK SABBATH’s last concert, titled Back to the Beginning, won’t just be a celebration of the band’s legacy—it will also serve a charitable cause. The event will raise funds for Parkinson’s and children’s charities, adding a meaningful dimension to the band’s farewell.
Given Ozzy Osbourne‘s ongoing health struggles, including Parkinson’s and multiple spinal surgeries, the “Back to the Beginning” endeavor presents a significant challenge. Iommi expressed uncertainty about his bandmate’s ability to withstand the demands of performing.
“I think Ozzy might be on some kind of throne,” he said, “but I’m in the dark as much as anybody else.”
The concert will feature the original lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—reuniting for a once-in-a-lifetime show. The performance will also include a star-studded lineup, with appearances from METALLICA, SLAYER, PANTERA, GUNS N’ ROSES, TOOL, GOJIRA, ALICE IN CHAINS, HALESTORM, LAMB OF GOD, ANTHRAX, MASTODON and more.
Source: metaladdicts.com
