BREAKING:Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi …read more.
When Black Sabbath took the stage one last time for their “Back to the Beginning” farewell show in Birmingham, fans were hit with a wave of nostalgia, heavy riffs, and raw emotion. But behind the scenes, not everything went exactly as planned. In a recent interview with Trunk Nation on SiriusXM, guitarist Tony Iommi revealed that a couple of songs—“Fairies Wear Boots” and “Black Sabbath”—had been rehearsed but were ultimately left off the final setlist.
So, what happened?
Songs That Didn’t Make the Cut
“We actually rehearsed those tracks,” Iommi said, referring to the two iconic songs that fans were hoping to hear. “We started with ‘Fairies Wear Boots,’ and then we did ‘Black Sabbath,’ but it was a little difficult for Bill [Ward] because he hadn’t played them in so long.”
Even though the band was eager to include some deeper cuts, a mix of technical issues, physical limits, and time constraints meant they had to cut a few songs before showtime. They had initially hoped to play six or seven, but only managed to perform four during the actual concert.
Time, Age & The Realities of a Reunion
This wasn’t just any performance—it was the first time in 20 years that Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and Tony Iommi were on stage together. Given the age and health challenges facing the band—especially Ozzy’s ongoing medical issues—they had to be realistic.
Tony admitted that some of the older songs were just too hard for Ozzy to sing at this point in his career. “When we recorded those songs back in the day, the keys were so high,” Iommi said. “There was no way Ozzy could hit those notes now. No disrespect—it’s just the way things go.”
A Show With a Bigger Purpose
The farewell show wasn’t just a trip down memory lane—it also served a higher purpose. The concert raised an incredible $190 million for various charities, including Cure Parkinson’s and local children’s hospitals. For Iommi and the rest of the band, that made any small setlist sacrifices more than worth it.
“It was about more than just playing music,” Iommi said. “It was about giving back, coming together one last time, and doing something meaningful.”
A Short but Powerful Goodbye
The final setlist included Sabbath staples like “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” “N.I.B.,” and, of course, “Paranoid.” While fans may have missed hearing rarities like “Fairies Wear Boots,” the band delivered a tight, emotional performance that honored their roots and celebrated their legacy.
Looking back, Iommi said the whole night was surreal. “It was strange to see it all coming to an end,” he reflected. “But it felt right.”
And although this was the last official show, Iommi hasn’t ruled out future collaborations in some form—just no full tours.
“I’ll always be open to music,” he said. “It’s who we are.”
Black Sabbath may have taken their final bow, but their music—and their legacy—will keep echoing through the halls of rock history.
