Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has revealed he “wasn’t prepared to see how frail” Ozzy Osbourne was when they rehearsed for the band’s farewell concert. The show, titled Back to the Beginning, took place on 5 July in Birmingham with the original lineup, alongside Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Alice in Chains.
Butler, 76, wrote in an essay for The Sunday Times that he knew Osbourne was in poor health but was shocked by his appearance. Osbourne, who died on 22 July at age 76, had suffered from Parkinson’s disease and other health issues. The two had known each other for 57 years, having formed Black Sabbath in 1968 with Tony Iommi and Bill Ward.
Describing the rehearsal, Butler said Osbourne was helped into the room by two helpers and a nurse, using a cane that was “black and studded with gold and precious stones”. He added that Osbourne sang while seated and became exhausted after six or seven songs. The “strangest part” of the show came at the end, when bandmates usually hugged and bowed, but with Osbourne on his throne, they improvised: Tony Iommi shook his hand, Butler presented a cake, and the moment felt anticlimactic.
Butler lamented not having more time backstage with Osbourne, but quoted Osbourne’s own saying: “Wish in one hand and s*** in the other and see which comes first.” After Osbourne’s death, tributes poured in from Elton John, Lady Gaga, Jason Momoa and others. Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher also dedicated their song “Rock ’N’ Roll Star” to Osbourne during a Wembley show.
