Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi recently shared his candid thoughts about his bandmates’ performances during the band’s ‘Back To The Beginning’ event. He offered a realistic perspective on aging musicians in an interview with SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk.
Iommi provided an honest evaluation of what fans can expect from veteran musicians when asked about his assessment of Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward’s performances at the event.
“Well, I’m really a bit of a perfectionist, but they can only do what they can do, and you can’t expect anything else,” Iommi said. “We’re in our seventies and late seventies, so you can only do so much.”
The guitarist acknowledged the reality of performing at their age. He emphasized acceptance of current limitations.
“And to expect perfection from everybody is just impossible at the moment,” he continued. “But they did what they could do, and everybody was fine about it. And I think the audience would know that and accepted that.”
Iommi concluded his remarks by addressing fan expectations and the band’s current capabilities.
“They weren’t expecting us to go on and be absolutely just brilliant players,” he said. “We played as we played and as we are now.”
These comments provide insight into the challenges facing one of metal’s most influential bands as they navigate their legacy in their later years.
The ‘Back To The Beginning’ event held special significance as it marked Bill Ward’s return to perform with his original bandmates after years of absence. Loudwire reported that Ward had been excluded from the band’s final years and their studio album *13*. His appearance at this concert marked a long-overdue final bow alongside Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Osbourne.
The event itself was a massive undertaking that showcased the band’s enduring impact on music history. Wikipedia documented that the ‘Back To The Beginning’ celebration was a sprawling ten-hour event held in Birmingham. It featured numerous supporting acts, video tributes from iconic artists, and a drum-off. Ozzy closed alongside Black Sabbath to cap the historic occasion.
Iommi also revealed concerns about the evening’s scheduling, particularly regarding Ozzy’s stamina for the performance. Louder Sound noted that Iommi expressed worry about Ozzy’s solo set being scheduled immediately before Sabbath’s performance. He feared that Ozzy might be too exhausted to perform well again with the band.
The guitarist’s honest assessment reflects the reality many veteran musicians face as they balance their legendary status with the physical limitations that come with age. Despite these challenges, the ‘Back To The Beginning’ event served as a fitting celebration of Black Sabbath’s monumental contribution to heavy metal music.
