Tony Iommi Voices Concerns Over Ozzy Osbourne's Final Show Amid Health Issues

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has admitted he ‘doesn’t know what’s going to happen’ when Ozzy Osbourne gets back on stage with the band.

Original band members Ozzy, Tony, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward will reunite to take to the stage for the first time in two decades for their last ever performance.

Their Back to the Beginning show takes place on July 5 in Birmingham’s Villa Park and is expected to include performances from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, and Gojira.

But Tony has expressed concern and says he is ‘worried about the unknown’ amid Ozzy’s ongoing health struggles.

Speaking to Music Week ahead of the show, Tony admitted: ‘This would be a big, monumental thing if it all comes good. The worrying thing for me is the unknown.

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Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi (right) has admitted he ‘doesn’t know what’s going to happen’ when Ozzy Osbourne tries to get back on stage with the band (pictured in 2011)

Tony has expressed concern and says he ‘doesn’t know what’s going to happen’ amid Ozzy’s ongoing health struggles (Ozzy pictured in 2022)

‘We don’t know what’s going to happen. Normally, when we’d tour, we’d rehearse and run through the thing for a while, and it’s just us. But with this event there are so many other moving parts.

‘You’re used to Ozzy running around, but he certainly won’t be doing that for this show. I don’t know if he’s going to be standing or sitting on a throne or what.’

Ozzy insisted that he will perform at what is being billed at his final concert in July, despite concerns about his ailing health.

The rock legend, 76, has undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal operation in September 2023, and has been privately battling Parkinson’s disease since 2003.

However, despite being plagued by a string of health issues, Ozzy defiantly told The Guardian: ‘I’ll be there, and I’ll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up.’

Despite Ozzy’s insistence, Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan has expressed his doubts about whether the rocker will actually make it on stage.

He said of the gigs, which his band are also playing: ‘I’m cautious about saying, “Yeah! All in, he’s gonna do it”. I don’t know what kind of modern miracles we’ll come up with to get him on stage to do the songs, but this is gonna be a challenge for them. So, I’m honoured to be a part of it, but I’m kinda preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.’

But Ozzy is well aware of the toll that the concert will take and has been physically and mentally preparing himself for it, with his wife Sharon noting that the gig is a ‘reason to get up in the morning’.

The legendary rocker, 76, will take to the stage on July 5, as he performs with Black Sabbath in his native Birmingham at Villa Park pictured in 2024)

Ozzy is well aware of the toll that the concert will take and has been preparing himself for it, with his wife Sharon Osbourne noting that the gig is a ‘reason to get up in the morning’

Explaining his preparation, he shared: ‘I do weights, bike riding, I’ve got a guy living at my house who’s working with me. It’s tough – I’ve been laid up for such a long time. I’ve been lying on my back doing nothing and the first thing to go is your strength. It’s like starting all over again.’

The singer has also enlisted a vocal coach to ensure his voice is up to scratch for the big day.

Despite his enthusiasm, Ozzy admitted that he won’t be very active on stage and ‘may be sitting down’ as he noted further health problems including problems with walking and blood clots on his legs that lead to blood pressure issues .

Back in 2020, Ozzy candidly spoke about his health, admitting he is in ‘unbelievable pain 24/7’.

The rocker who had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the time, says a nasty fall in 2019 aggravated a neck injury from his 2003 quad bike accident.

At the time, Ozzy said the crippling nerve damage is the reason why he made the decision to call off his North American leg of his No More Tours 2 tour, so he could seek further treatment in Switzerland.

‘If I had a choice between the Parkinson’s and the f***ing neck, I’d go for the Parkinson’s, I’ve been laid up for a year now’, Ozzy told The Sun.

‘First I had an infection in my hand — that pulled me off the road — then I got pneumonia, then I had the fall, then I had surgery and here I am today, it’s driving me nuts.’

His upcoming 2025 concert was first announced back in February with Ozzy’s wife Sharon and the band’s guitarist Tony Iommi at the big reveal at the concert’s venue, Villa Park.

The show will feature Ozzy, Tommy, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward.

The group pioneered heavy metal music in the early 1970s with hits such as War Pigs, Paranoid and Iron Man.

Since their last gig together in 2005, Black Sabbath has played in partial reunions but never in their original line-up.

Top a line-up of rock and heavy metal icons will include sets from the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Gojira, Halestorm and Mastodon.

The all-day event will also feature a supergroup of musicians.

Artists announced so far include Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David Draiman (Disturbed), Duff McKagan, Frank Bello (Anthrax), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis (Korn), KK Downing and Lzzy Hale (Halestorm).

Profits from the show will be shared equally between the following charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice, a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa.

The group pioneered heavy metal music in the early 1970s with hits such as War Pigs, Paranoid and Iron Man

Ozzy, the group’s charismatic frontman who left the band in 1979 due to drug and alcohol problems and went on to pursue a highly successful solo career, said in 2020 he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The all-star event will celebrate the true creators of heavy metal and will see Ozzy play his own short set before joining with Black Sabbath for his final bow.

He said in a statement: ‘It’s … time for me to give back to the place where I was born. How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal.’

Formed in Birmingham in 1968 and going on to become one of most successful metal bands of all time, Black Sabbath have sold over 75 million albums worldwide across their legendary career.

Setting the blueprint for the many routes heavy metal took, Black Sabbath’s influence and importance is as vital today as it was in the early 1970s.

WHAT IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, according to the NHS website.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS says there are three major symptoms, including tremors or shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.

Other symptoms include problems with balance, loss of smell, nerve pain, excessive sweating and dizziness.

Some people can also experience lack of sleep, excessive production of saliva and problems swallowing, causing malnutrition and dehydration.

What are the early signs?

Symptoms can start gradually, sometimes beginning with a barely noticeable tremor in just one part of the body.

In the early stages, people may show little or no expression, and their arms may not swing when they walk.

Speech can also become soft or slurred, with the condition worsening over time.

What are the causes?

Some scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause of Parkinson’s disease.

It occurs after a person experiences loss of nerve cells in a part of their brain.

However, it is not known why the loss of nerve cells associated with the condition takes place but research is ongoing to identify potential causes.

Scientists say genetics factor can increase a person’s risk of developing the disease, and can therefore run in families.

Other factors attributed to causing the condition include environmental problems such as pollution, though such links are inconclusive, the NHS says.

How is it diagnosed?

No tests can conclusively show if a person has the disease, but doctors can make a diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history and a physical examination.

A specialist will ask the person to write or draw, walk or speak to check for any common signs of the condition.

They may even check for difficulty making facial expressions and slowness of limb movement.

How many people are affected?

Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s disease in the UK, according to the charity Parkinson’s UK.

What happens if someone is diagnosed?

According to the charity, it is a legal requirement to contact the DVLA, as a diagnosed person will need to have a medical or driving assessment.

The organisation also advises people to contact any insurance providers and find out about financial support available.

People are also encouraged to partake in more exercise.

Can it be treated?

Although there is no cure, a number of treatments are available to help reduce the symptoms.

The main remedies include medication, exercise, therapy and surgery, which can help people in different ways.

What medication is available and what are the side effects?

Medication can be helpful in improving the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as shaking and movement problems.

There are three main types which are commonly used, levodopa, dopamine agonist or a MAO-B inhibitor. Each can affect people in different ways.

The drugs do have some side effects, including impulsive and compulsive behaviour, hallucinations, sleep issues and blood pressure changes.

What therapy is available?

There are several therapies available to those with Parkinson’s through the NHS.

Among them are physiotherapy to reduce muscle stiffness, occupational therapy to help with completing day-to-day tasks and speech and language coaching.

Does this change the way you live?

Most people’s life expectancy will not change a great deal, though more advanced symptoms can lead to increased disability and poor health.

It can also cause some cognitive issues and changes to mood and mental health.

Those with Parkinson’s are encouraged to exercise more often, with scientists saying 2.5 hours of exercise a week is enough to slow the progression of symptoms.