Black Sabbath Issues Tour Update, Most Dates To Be "Ozzy and Friends"
Band Photo: Ozzy Osbourne (?)
Black Sabbath, which late last year confirmed the recording of the band's first new album in more than 33 years and a worldwide headlining tour, has had to put some plans on hold due to Tony Iommi’s battle with lymphoma. Current plans are for Black Sabbath to perform only one show of this summer’s previously scheduled European tour, which will be the U.K.’s Download Festival on Sunday, June 10, 2012.
So as not to let the promoters and fans down, Ozzy Osbourne will 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 Bulter (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 (full list of dates, appearances below).
Tony Iommi continues to make excellent progress and is looking forward to getting back out on the road. Meanwhile, Black Sabbath continues to write and record music in the U.K. for their upcoming album. More information about these dates and Black Sabbath's recording and touring plans is forthcoming.
The drama between Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward and the band is still unfolding, with the latest update from Ward sounding hopeful that the band will find a common ground and record the new album together.
The 2012 tour dates are as follows:
BLACK SABBATH
Sun 6/10 Donnington UK Download Festival
OZZY AND FRIENDS
Wed 5/23 - Helsinki, Finland @ Hartwall Arena
Fri 5/25 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Stadium
Sun 5/27 - Jelling, Denmark @ Jelling Festival
Tue 5/29 - Bergen, Norway @ Bergen Calling Festival
Thu 5/31 - Oslo, Norway @ Spektrum
Sat 6/2 - Malmo, Sweden @ Malmo Stadium
Mon 6/4 - Dortmund, Germany @ Westfalenhalle
Wed 6/6 - Prague, Czech Rep @ O2 Arena
Fri 6/15 - Vitoria, Spain @ Azkena Rock Festival
Sun 6/17 - Clisson, France @ Hellfest
Fri 6/22 - Dessel, Belgium @ Graspop Metal Meeting
Sun 6/24 - Milan, Italy @ Gods of Metal Festival
Tue 6/26 - Vienna, Austria @ Stadthalle
Thu 6/28 - Belgrade, Serbia @ USCE Park
Sun 7/1 - Athens, Greece @ Rockwave Festival – Terra
What's Next?
16 Comments on "Ozzy & Friends To Perform Black Sabbath Shows"
Member
Member
9. writes:
BG1, No need for sarcasm, its beneath you! I'm sure the majority of folks on this site are fully aware of post-Ozzy Sabbath and their fine (?) output. My point is that to say, as this and many other articles do, that this is the 1st Sabbath album in 33 years is not only revisionist history, but, IMHO, very disrespectful to the other musicians who have been a part of Sabbath over the years.
Member
10. writes:
No, I'd venture to say everyone on this site is aware of post Ozzy Sabbath including the fvcker that posted this story (who also happens to own this fvckin place) and everyone has a great deal of respect for the musicians in each evolution of Sabbath. To come here and state the obvious is pointless. Thus the sarcasm, and you don't know me well enough to judge what may or may not be beneath me so STFU.
11. writes:
You are right, I do not know you. However, I have read your comments before and always had respect for you and your words. I believe the low level sarcasm in your 1st post was genuinely beneath you. You are better then that. Probably.
All I am saying is that since this reunion has been announced, all media, MU included, has stated "1st Black Sabbath album in 33 years". This is not the case. This is lazy journalism. I expect this from the mainstream press but had hoped MU would be above this. Obviously I was mistaken. Please accept my apologies.
All I was trying to do was vent some frustration at what I perceive to be the censoring of history and the removal of certain incarnations of Sabbath from popular consciousness. This being done merely a year after the death of Ronnie James Dio I find particularly irksome. I'm not a big fan of his but I have massive respect for his place in metal history.
I wrote on this site not to "state the obvious", but was hoping to find some solidarity for this opinion. This has not been the case. Instead, all I appear to have done is anger you. That makes me a sad panda.
Member
12. writes:
No, I'm not angry. I'm just having a hard time seeing your point when everyone here has an unmeasurable ammout of respect for RJD and what he brought to the table. Nobody is taking anything away from him in this press release (which in case you didn't realize that is what it is), and getting arse chapped over a statement regarding the first Sabbs album with Ozzy in 33 years (which is what is assumed in the paraphrase) is pointless. I for one am more concerned with Tony's health at this point than splitting hairs over Who's getting credit for what in a press release. To me its like complaining at a restaurant that your cat sh!t is cold. Nevermind they just served you cat sh!t... Its cold cat sh!t.
Senior News Correspondent
Member
15. writes:
IT'S BEEN 34 YEARS SINCE "NEVER SAY DIE!", THE LAST STUDIO ALBUM WITH ALL OF THE ORIGINAL BLACK SABBATH MEMBERS. IT'S BEEN 17 YEARS SINCE "FORBIDDEN", THE LAST STUDIO ALBUM BLACK SABBATH ACTUALLY RELEASED.......THAT BEING SAID, I AM HOPING BILL WARD WILL ACTUALLY BE PLAYING ON THE NEW STUDIO ALBUM. LORD KNOWS HE DESERVES A FAIR CONTRACT AND HIS CUT OF THE CASH.
To minimize comment spam/abuse, you cannot post comments on articles over a month old.
Member
1. spiral_architect writes:
FIRST THE BILL WARD TROUBLES, NOW THIS. THE BLACK SABBATH REUNION JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO BE IN THE CARDS. SADNESS......