Geezer Butler has shared his first statement on Black Sabbath‘s forthcoming final live show. Watch the video below.
Yesterday (February 5), it was confirmed that the legendary heavy metal band would be reuniting for one last gig at Villa Park in their hometown of Birmingham on July 5.
The concert will see the group’s most iconic line-up – comprising frontman Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Butler and drummer Bill Ward – play live together for the first time in two decades.
Dubbed ‘Back To The Beginning’, the massive event will also play host to slots from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Tom Morello, Alice In Chains, Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst and many more.
Fans have since been sharing their reaction to the news of ‘The Final Show’ from Sabbath. Elsewhere, Iommi has looked ahead to the show with an emotional message. “It’s been an incredible journey,” he wrote, “but it’s only fitting that it ends here, where it all began in Aston.”
Now, his bandmate Butler has posted a separate video statement on social media.
“I couldn’t make it to England for today’s announcement, due to a commitment with my granddaughter, but was with them in spirit,” he wrote in the caption, referring to the press conference at Villa Park, attended by Iommi and Sharon Osbourne.
Speaking in the clip, the bassist said: “Hi, Geezer Butler here. Looking forward to seeing you all on July the 5th at Villa Park.
“It’ll be the first time the original Sabbath has played in Aston since we used to live there. And where we wrote most of our first album – places like Aston Community Centre and Burlington Hall down high street.”
Butler added: “So it’s a return home for us where it all started, and it will be a very special occasion for us all. See you there.” You can watch the video in the post above.
Tickets go on general sale at 10am GMT next Friday (February 14), with all profits going to charities Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice – a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa. You’ll be able to buy yours here.
The has been talk of a potential one-off reunion show from Black Sabbath in recent years. In 2024, Osbourne said he would “jump at the chance” to play a final Black Sabbath show with co-founding drummer Bill Ward, and Butler hinted that he and Osbourne had already “agreed” to play one last gig.
In July, Ward responded to the rumours of him rejoining Sabbath for a farewell concert: “I’m in for playing some of everyone’s old favourites. Loved playing them then, I’d love to play them one last time.”
Iommi also expressed interest in performing with the band for one last show, saying it would be “a nice thing to do, but whether it happens will be another thing”.
Osbourne’s wife and manager, Sharon, had previously said that Ozzy was planning “two more shows to say goodbye” before he fully retired.
This came after the frontman explained that he may have to “accept the fact” that a live comeback would not be possible due to issues such as his battle with Parkinson’s disease and recovery from multiple surgeries.
Black Sabbath played the final show of their farewell tour back in 2017, wrapping up the trek in Birmingham.
But Osbourne recently admitted he was somewhat disappointed that the last date they played didn’t include Bill Ward. The drummer had parted ways with the band in 2012, due to what he claimed was an “unreasonable contract”.
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