Black Sabbath Cancels All But One Reunion Show

[JerseyGirl]

Bad news for Sabbath fans.


Can’t wait for this summer’s massive Black Sabbath reunion? Looks like you’re going to have to wait even longer. Sabbath’s previously announced comeback European trek has been put on hold as Tony Iommi continues to battle lymphoma, with only one date — a June 10 appearance at the U.K.’s Download Festival — going ahead as scheduled. For the rest of the announced tour dates, singer Ozzy Osbourne will now be joined by a selection of “special guests” with a band billed as Ozzy & Friends.

A press release from Black Sabbath reads as follows:

“So as not to let the promoters and fans down, Ozzy Osbourne will now perform the majority of the previously scheduled Black Sabbath dates (both festival performances and the headlining shows) billed as Ozzy & Friends. These ‘first ever’ Ozzy & Friends shows will feature appearances by ‘special guest’ musicians including Geezer Butler (who will join Ozzy for a special Black Sabbath set as a show of respect and support to their friend, Tony Iommi) and longtime former Ozzy band member Zakk Wylde. In addition, Ozzy will be accompanied by longtime collaborator and friend Slash at select shows, with other ‘special guests’ set to join the tour at various stops along the way.”



MORE IN LINK: Black Sabbath Cancel All But One Reunion Concert, ‘Ozzy & Friends’ to Fill In for Rest of Tour

 

[Khor1255]

This must be a serious bummer for people with tickets. I hope Iommi gets well soon.

 

[TheSound]

It's the only thing to do. I was flabbergasted when I read they were touring in the first place, lymphoma can be a seriously life-threatening illness and it needs a long and arduous regime of treatment before you can positively say you have beaten it, Iommi's life is infinitely more important than music, and this should give him the best chance to beat it.

 

[Riff Raff]

Smart move, better to give Iommi time to recover.

 

[Groovy Man]

Not too shocking.

Let's just hope and pray Tony Iommi beats this...

 

[JerseyGirl]

I agree. He's got a long journey ahead. I wish him the best.

 

[LG]

I am in no way surprised by this announcement. I was expecting something along these lines to develop and as already noted Tony's health and life is far more important than a Black Sabbath reunion.

 

[ILoveJimmyPage]

Did someone say he has lymphoma? Horrible disease. I lost a grandmother to it. I wish him the best his recovery is most important and the band can pick up on where they left off at at a better time.

 

[Lynch]

I don't care if they never tour as Black Sabbath, I'd rather have Iommi getting healthy and God-willing, make another album at some point. The album is FAR secondary to hoping we have this rock legend around for quite a few more years.

 

[Powerage]

This was announced the same day I bought my day tickets to see Sabbath and Download... I hope he makes it and Sabbath tear the place apart, but if they cancel it so Tony can concentrate on getting better, I would be disapointed but I won't complain.