Rising from the depths atop a skull and bat-adorned throne, Ozzy Osbourne completed his reign as the Prince of Darkness during Black Sabbath’s July 5 Back to the Beginning concert.
While clearly aesthetically appropriate, the throne also served a utility purpose. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003, the heavy metal pioneer could no longer walk or stand on his own. During a recent interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Tony Iommi admitted it was “weird” to see his usually boisterous bandmate perform seated.
“And that’s the last thing that Ozzy would have ever wanted to be but it had to,” Iommi said Wednesday (July 23.) “Normally he’s bouncing around on stage and coming up to me and pulling faces. You know, he’d always have a laugh. And it was the same with [drummer Geezer Butler.] It’s always been like that forever and we always jeered each other on.”
Tony Iommi Didn’t Think Final Ozzy Osbourne Performance Would Be “This Final”
In the months leading up to Black Sabbath’s final bow, Ozzy Osbourne took care to stress the “final” part. However, no one who loved him could have predicted the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer would pass just 17 days later.
“It was brilliant to be with all the guys again… It’s brilliant for Ozzy because he really wanted to do that. He felt at home there and it was really good for him,” Iommi said. “It was good for all of us and lovely to be able to get together for a final thing. I mean, we didn’t realize it was gonna be this final… but he hasn’t looked well for awhile.”
Featured image by Richard E. Aaron/Redferns
