In a recent interview, guitarist Phil Campbell, known for his time with MOTÖRHEAD and current work with PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS, shared his thoughts on the upcoming Black Sabbath reunion concert scheduled for July 5 in the band’s hometown of Birmingham, UK. This momentous event will see Ozzy Osbourne, along with the original lineup of Black Sabbath — guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward — perform together for the final time as part of a fundraising show at Villa Park. The event will feature a lineup of legendary bands, including Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Gojira, and Anthrax, all of whom have been influenced by Black Sabbath’s iconic sound.
When asked if he plans to attend the show, Campbell responded, saying that he prefers to stay home these days to spend time with his wife and dogs. He reflected on his extensive touring history, expressing that he values his time at home more now. However, Campbell wished Ozzy Osbourne the best, confident that the event would be an incredible occasion. “I wouldn’t want to be in Tom Morello’s shoes, though,” Campbell added, acknowledging the difficult task ahead for Morello, who will be serving as the musical director for the event. “He’s probably got the hardest job of them all, organizing it.”
Campbell went on to praise the diverse and impressive lineup of bands set to perform. While he speculated that each band’s set would be around 20 minutes due to the number of performers, he expressed hope that Ozzy would go out in style, adding that the concert would be a fantastic day for everyone involved.
The interviewer noted how iconic figures like Ozzy and the late Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead are one-of-a-kind personalities in the rock world. Campbell agreed, saying, “You never know, but I can’t see anyone getting close to being Lemmy. He was rock and roll — he lived and breathed it. Ozzy is unique as well; he has his own persona.” He continued, emphasizing the rarity of such distinctive characters in rock, stating, “These people don’t come around very often, if ever. They are totally individual, unique characters, and it’s a wonderful thing.” Campbell expressed the belief that the world feels “darker” when these eccentric figures pass, lamenting the rise of political correctness in today’s world. “We need these people,” he added, lamenting how even basic expressions like a wolf whistle have become taboo.
The highly anticipated Back to the Beginning concert, which will feature the original Black Sabbath lineup, sold out in less than 10 minutes when tickets were made available in February. The show will mark the first time in 20 years that the classic lineup of Black Sabbath will perform together. In addition to Black Sabbath, a “supergroup” of musicians will perform, including Duff McKagan and Slash (Guns N’ Roses), Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), K.K. Downing (Judas Priest), Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne), Wolfgang Van Halen (Van Halen, Mammoth WVH), Andrew Watt, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), David Ellefson (Megadeth), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Whitfield Crane (Ugly Kid Joe), David Draiman (Disturbed), Frank Bello (Anthrax), Jonathan Davis (Korn), Lzzy Hale (Halestorm), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot), Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (Anthrax), Sleep Token II (Sleep Token), and Papa V Perpetua (Ghost).
The concert will serve as a fundraising event, with proceeds benefiting Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice — a children’s hospice supported by Aston Villa.
Osbourne, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003, will perform for the first time in years. His health issues, including a severe fall and complications from a 2003 quad-bike accident, as well as a battle with COVID-19, have led to the cancellation of several tours. Nevertheless, Osbourne has expressed his willingness to return to the stage if his health improves.
Despite his ongoing health challenges, Ozzy has still managed to make a few public performances, including appearances at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and at the NFL halftime show in Los Angeles that same year.
This final performance is set to be a historic occasion, honoring Ozzy’s legacy and the enduring influence of Black Sabbath on rock music.
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