Sarah Karney April 9th, 2015 - 5:50 PM
Bad news for Black Sabbath fans–the band’s promised farewell show that was supposed to take place later in 2015 is no more. The band was supposed to play Ozzfest in Japan this year, but now Ozzy Osbourne will play “with friends.”
Photo credit Aisha Humphrey
The band broke the news on their Facebook page, with the same message appearing on Ozzy’s page.
Despite previous reports, Black Sabbath will not appear on this year’s Ozzfest Japan, the show will instead feature the festival’s namesake, Ozzy Osbourne (and friends).
Posted by Black Sabbath on Wednesday, April 8, 2015
The show was slotted to take place on the second day of Ozzfest Japan on November 22. The chances of the group reuniting again for a show are slim, as they have been around since 1968 and battling the problems that come along with old age. Additionally, guitarist Tony Iommi has been battling cancer. He was diagnosed in 2012 and has struggled to join the band on the road because of his leukemia.
There were doubts that Bill Ward, the original drummer of Black Sabbath, would attend the show. He was not on the schedule, though Ozzy publicly hoped he would decide to join, and is known to have disputed with Sharon Osbourne years ago over finances.
The group also promised 2015 would bring one last album. With this recent news, this too seems unlikely, but either way Black Sabbath leaves nothing but a metal legacy behind.
