BREAKING: Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi Co…read more.
When Black Sabbath performed on what proved to be their final-ever gig in Birmingham in 2017, the end of an era wasn’t just for heavy metal, but music history. For the band’s guitarist Tony Iommi, however, it wasn’t just a gig. It was an nostalgic farewell to decades of friendship, hardship, and brilliance. Now, eight years later, Iommi is finally opening up about what really went down backstage on that mythical night.
In a recent interview, Iommi described how he felt leading up to the band’s final concert most particularly his concern about longtime vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzy had stated that he would play a solo set before Black Sabbath took the stage. To fans, it seemed like an added bonus. To Iommi, though, it was a red flag.
“With him playing his own material which I did not think he should do did not want him to burn out,” stated Iommi straightforwardly. “We were gearing up for this huge emotional night, and I was afraid that it would be too much for him.”
It was not just an issue of show logistics. Iommi, who has seen Ozzy through thick and thin over the years, had his friend’s well-being and best interests in mind. Ozzy has fought off a series of health issues in recent years, and even then, Iommi was conscious of the cost of touring.
“I know how much Ozzy donates when he’s touring,” he stated. “But this was all about the band, about us touring together. I just did not want anything to take away from that.”
In spite of the complaints, the last show ran with the power and accuracy fans had anticipated. Everything that was planned, however, did not reach the stage. Iommi disclosed that there were many songs they rehearsed never reached the final setlist.
“There were a couple that we absolutely had to get on there like ‘Symptom of the Universe’ and ‘Hole in the Sky’ but when push came to shove, we had to cut some corners,” he said. “You can only fit so much on there, and we wanted to have the songs that were most significant to us and the fans.”
That night, Sabbath delivered a thunderous, tear-jerking performance of their classics War Pigs, Iron Man, Paranoid and ended their storied career in the city where it had started. For Iommi, this was not so much about the music. It was about closing a book on friends he’d shared everything with.
“There was this strange mix of emotions,” he said. “Relief, grief, pride. I don’t know how to explain it. It was poignant and lovely at the same time.”
Looking back, Iommi isn’t regretful that things happened the way that they did, but he’s clearly still reflective. “We said goodbye on our own terms. And we did it in Birmingham. That meant everything.”
Since the farewell, Iommi has stayed musically active, trying new things in solo projects and side projects. Ozzy, despite health issues, stays in the news with his determination and want to stay involved with music.
Another Sabbath reunion?
“No,” Iommi answers quietly. “That was it. I think we all knew that. But the legacy survives. The music’s still there for anybody who wants to turn it up loud.”
In the end, Tony Iommi’s reflection isn’t just about riffs and rehearsals it’s about friendship, care, and knowing when to take a final bow.
