Legendary Metal Band’s Lead Singer Shares Reason for Not Performing at Ozzy’s Farewell Concert
One of the most notable metal and rock legends, Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, is gearing up for their final show, Back To The Beginning, on July 5. The event boasts an impressive lineup of artists including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Soundgarden, Wolfgang Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, and more. However, there is one glaring absence from the list – Rob Halford and Judas Priest.
Despite both Priest and Sabbath hailing from Birmingham, England, and being key figures in shaping heavy metal in the 1970s, Halford has clarified that Judas Priest will not be performing at the farewell show due to a pre-existing commitment. In an interview with Metal Hammer, Halford revealed that Judas Priest was already scheduled to play at the 60th-anniversary show of hard rock veterans Scorpions when Black Sabbath announced their final gig.
Halford expressed his surprise at the timing of the events, recounting a phone call he received from Sharon Osbourne, urging him to consider joining Ozzy for the event despite the clash in schedules. The Scorpions show in Hannover, Germany, poses a logistical challenge for Halford and the band, as he believes that even with a private plane, technical or weather-related issues could potentially disrupt the plan to attend both shows.
Acknowledging that missing out on Ozzy’s final show is disappointing, Halford mentioned that Judas Priest’s founding guitarist, K.K. Downing, who left the band in 2011, will represent the spirit of the group at the event. Despite his absence, the singer expressed his disappointment at not being able to participate, emphasizing the significance of the moment for both Black Sabbath and the heavy metal genre as a whole.
Reflecting on the historical significance of Birmingham as the birthplace of metal, Halford lauded the event as a milestone that highlights the city’s contributions to the genre. He acknowledged the importance of the gathering for both bands and the metal community, recognizing the epic nature of the occasion. Despite his regret at missing the final show, Halford expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the metal scene and emphasized the camaraderie among fellow musicians and fans.
In conclusion, while Judas Priest may not be gracing the stage at Ozzy’s farewell show, the decision stems from a scheduling conflict rather than a lack of desire to pay tribute to a fellow legend. Rob Halford’s candid explanation sheds light on the challenges of navigating conflicting commitments in the music industry, highlighting the bittersweet nature of missing out on a monumental event in metal history.