The world will be watching very closely when Ozzy Osbourne returns to the stage on July 5 for his final Black Sabbath show.
As we all know, the show will feature the original Sabbath lineup. This includes Osbourne, original guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward. It will be the first time the band have appeared onstage together in twenty years. More than anything, the performance will also be a return to their roots in Birmingham. Where it all began some fifty years ago.
The performance will also be rounded out by some of the greatest names in rock and heavy metal. We’re talking big bands here too. Like Metallica, Slayer, Alice in Chains, the Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan and many more. It is truly the greatest send off one could ever ask for.
And now, Sammy Hagar, one of the names leading the all- star lineup has shed some light on how many songs Ozzy Osbourne will actually be singing on the day.
Speaking with Loudwire Nights radio show, Hagar first explained how he got involved in the historic performance to begin with.
“When the word started leaking out, Tom Morello calls me and says, ‘Hey man, would you interested’?” Hagar explained during the chat. “I went, ‘Yes!’ He didn’t have to say what. Would you be interested? ‘Yes, Tom, I’m all in’. I was so flattered that I was one of the early guys on.”
Hagar is also taking his preparation for the event very seriously. He has been listening to Osbourne and Black Sabbath non- stop in an effort to learn his vocal phrasing and techniques.
As for how many songs Osbourne himself will take part in, the number is looking like it’s going to be around five. This includes his 1991 solo track, ‘No More Tears’.
“I chose to do ‘No More Tears’ and Tom [Morello] goes, ‘Oh, that would be great’, and then he comes back and says, ‘Guess what? Ozzy’s going to try and sing five songs and he wants to sing ‘No More Tears’,” Hagar continued.
“I said, ‘OK, ‘Flying High Again’ [1981], and he goes, ‘You got it’. So right now, I’m singing ‘Flying High Again’. If Ozzy changes his mind, I’ll sing ‘Flying High Again’ and ‘No More Tears’.”
So while it not been a full- scale performance, it is at least something. The Prince of Darkness is giving it all one final go, and given his recent health setbacks, one can help but be appreciative of that.
RELATED
