Two of Black Sabbath’s original iron men — Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Tony Iommi — made a surprise reunion in their hometown of Birmingham, England, on Monday night with a performance at the city’s Commonwealth Games. They performed their classic “Paranoid”Along with two other musicians, The End: Adam Wakeman (bass and keyboards) and Tommy Clufetos (drummer).
After teasing the intro “Iron Man”Osbourne bellowing “I am Iron Man”Backstage, the group ignited up “Paranoid.”Osbourne rose from the stage to the cheers of the crowd. Osbourne’s voice was powerful as he exhaled the energy. There were rounds of cheering as fireworks shot around the stadium. Iommi’s riffing and solos sounded crisp and inspired.
Both musicians wore black, as Osbourne’s peacoat fanned out in the breeze. It was a memorable moment to celebrate their hometown with the fireworks all around them.
Osbourne teased the possibility of a reunion at the Commonwealth Games a few years ago, noting his excitement when ITV asked him if he’d consider playing the opening ceremony for the 2022 Games. “Yes, that would be fantastic,”He said that according to Blabbermouth. “With Black Sabbath or on my own.”
Iommi opened the Commonwealth Games on July 28 with a song called “The Song of Iommi”. “Hear My Voice”Soweto Kinch, a London-born saxophonist, and rapper. The track featured Iommi’s bluesy guitar solos over New Age strings’ and Kinch’s saxophone lines.
Black Sabbath concludes the Commonwealth Games!! pic.twitter.com/zdhm3nbPN1
— Bianca Stone (@Bianca_Stone) August 8, 2022
Osbourne’s last time onstage was with Post Malone for a performance of their duet, “Take What You Want”at the 2019 American Music Award. His last full concert was a headlining Ozzfest gig on New Year’s Eve 2018.
They formed Black Sabbath in 1968 with drummer Bill Ward and bassist Geezer Butler in Birmingham. The band released several heavy metal-defining albums until Osbourne’s departure in 1979. They reunited several times over the years and recently concluded a farewell tour, The End, at the city’s Genting Arena on Feb. 4, 2017.
Osbourne had at the time teased the audience. “Are you having fun?”He said that according to Rolling Stone’s review. “I nearly said, ‘Should we come back and do it again?’ [Pregnant pause] We’re not.” The evening featured a set list that included songs from throughout Osbourne’s first tenure fronting the group, including “Black Sabbath,” “Paranoid,”And “Children of the Grave.”
Months later, Osbourne told Rolling StoneThe gig was “very emotional.” “I couldn’t speak,”He stated. “Because I thought if I start talking I’ll end up in fucking tears. That’s hardly the Prince of Darkness, being seen crying.”
“I’m glad we finished on a high note,” Butler said. “I’m glad that it’s finished now.”
The band recorded additional songs after the show for what was called “Dubbed”. “The Angelic Sessions,”Additional footage was added for the concert movie The End. They believed they were done after they had finished. “It was so weird saying goodbye after the sessions,”Iommi. “Nobody really knew what to say to each other. It was a bit embarrassing really. I think we just sort of said, ‘All right, I’m going.’”
Although Osbourne had called the gig the band’s “final show”Iommi was onstage with Butler that night and had indicated they were open to the possibility of making another album or performing a special gig. Osbourne also launched his 2018 farewell tour. After a staph attack and falling in the middle night, Osbourne was forced to end the tour. This caused an old spinal injury that he had sustained. He has since revealed a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease but has long said he was planning on returning to the stage.
Osbourne released an album. Ordinary ManRight before the pandemic began in 2020, he had plans to release a new album. Patient Number NineThis fall. This album contains two songs. “Degradation Rules”And “No Escape From Now,” which feature Iommi’s songwriting and guitar playing.