As the metal world gears up for what’s being billed as the final live performance from both Ozzy Osbourne and BLACK SABBATH, Zakk Wylde is holding out hope that this Saturday’s “Back To The Beginning” concert won’t be the true end of the road.
Set to take place July 5th at Birmingham’s Villa Park, the all-star event will celebrate the legacy of the heavy metal pioneers in their hometown—marking what’s expected to be the last time SABBATH and Ozzy take the stage. But Wylde, a longtime guitarist for Osbourne, isn’t convinced this will be their final bow.
Speaking with Rolling Stone, Wylde expressed excitement over the massive show and shared some details about what fans can expect. “We’re going to play with the boss [Ozzy],” he said. “I guess we’re scheduled to do a couple songs with Oz, and then sit and watch SABBATH play. And then obviously we’re going to jam with PANTERA as well.”
The general format for the evening appears to involve each participating act performing a few of their own songs alongside a BLACK SABBATH cover. GUNS N’ ROSES, for example, were recently heard soundchecking “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” in Norway—hinting at what their tribute will entail.
“I think all the bands are going to do… let’s say, if they do three or four songs, do two of their songs and then do one SABBATH song,” Wylde explained. “Everybody’s going to pay tribute to SABBATH, and then we’ll sit and watch SABBATH at the end of the night, watch them crush it.”
As for Ozzy’s portion of the show, a who’s who of former bandmates and collaborators will be joining him onstage, including Mike Inez, Michael Bordin, Tommy Clufetos, Robert Trujillo, and Adam Wakeman. “It’ll be everyone that’s played with Ozzy over the years,” Wylde said. “We’re going to figure it out when we get there.”
Despite the event being billed as a farewell, Wylde remains optimistic that it won’t be the final chapter. “I’m sure the promoters are going to go, ‘Wow, that was pretty amazing. Let’s do another world tour right now,’” he said with a laugh. “Not only will all the other bands be on the side of the stage to watch the amazingness, I think all the promoters are going to be up there going, ‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’”
And if Ozzy’s health allows for it, Wylde’s ready to keep the metal flame burning—throne and all.
“If Oz sounds great and everything like that, if he wants to continue carrying on singing on a throne, we’ll just make the throne so it goes out over the audience,” he joked. “It shoots fire and water and dragons come out of it… We’ll make the throne part of the show. It’d be amazing.”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.