’70s Rock Legends Reflect on What They Hope Fans Never Forget Ahead of Final Concert originally appeared on Parade.
Ahead of their final performance, this legendary rock group is reflecting on how they want fans to remember them.
Black Sabbath, featuring original members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, will take the stage one last time on Saturday, July 5.
For the first time in two decades, the group is coming together for a final farewell — and they’re getting sentimental about the history they’ve made.
“You can never know how your life turns out,” guitarist Iommi told Classic Rock. “It’s just believing in what you do and following that path. That’s always what I’ve had, and not given up on it.”
When asked how he’d like the band to be remembered, he answered, “For what we brought to the table. For bringing this music out and inspiring other bands to build on it.”
Other members echoed the sentiment, with Ward saying he hoped the band would be remembered for their creativity.
“For showing that it’s okay to push things, to be outlandish and extraordinary and rough around the edges. We were loud and aggressive, and that’s what I love about us.”
Butler added that their legacy lies in their roots, “As four working-class blokes who defied all the odds, but had an unbreakable belief in ourselves and bonded with the greatest fans ever.”
Although the band won’t be touring again, the question of recording new music came up — and the answers were hopeful.
“I’d love to do another album. I’ll be direct about that,” Ward said. Osbourne agreed, sharing his desire to keep making more music.
“As far as recording goes, I still enjoy doing my own work. I also enjoy singing on other people’s work. For the foreseeable future, I will keep on recording — if the projects interest me.”
This upcoming performance marks yet another chapter in a long history of farewells. Back in 1992, Osbourne announced his first retirement after being mistakenly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, saying he wanted more time with family.
His second farewell came in 1999, when Black Sabbath headlined Ozzfest under the banner “The Last Supper.” The branding led many to believe it was the end — until the band returned in 2001.
In 2016, following a reunion after Osbourne’s solo ventures and lommi and Butler’s own collaboration, they launched another farewell tour titled The End.
And in 2018, Osbourne wasn’t quite ready to slow down yet. He announced a solo run, No More Tours II, in support of his album.
Unfortunately, due to health issues, the tour was ultimately canceled. “Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way,” he said at the time.
Now, it seems he may finally get the send-off he’s been working toward for the past 30 years.
’70s Rock Legends Reflect on What They Hope Fans Never Forget Ahead of Final Concert first appeared on Parade on Jul 2, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
