Metal Anarchy

During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk,” Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi opened up about the band’s farewell show at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK. Notably, the guitarist also revealed that the group were initially thinking about playing more songs.

Iommi said the following:

“Well, it’s been stressful for the last couple of months, really, thinking about it. And we went into rehearsals a month ago. But you never know until the day. I mean, we hadn’t played on a big stage with [original SABBATH drummer] Bill [Ward] for 20 years, so it was wondering what’s gonna happen. But no, it all went fine.”

He continued:

“After it’s happened, it’s fine. Yeah, of course. I mean, it raised a lot of money for the charities, and that was the main thing. And it was great to see the guys and all be together again for a few weeks, really, while we were rehearsing and got to know each other again. It was good, yeah.”

He also discussed seeing his bandmates for the first time in awhile:

“I live in England and the other three are in the States. So by everybody coming over, yes, we had time to talk and talk of old times. And it just slotted straight back into like we hadn’t left each other, which was great. And of course, a lot’s happened in the last — whatever — 10 years or whatever it was [since] we’d done a show [with SABBATH], and, of course, as I said to you before, we hadn’t played with Bill live for 20 years, so it was hairy wondering what’s gonna happen, really. Because Bill, when he plays, he plays different things every time. So you just have to be on your toes. But no, it went well. I mean, it was strange for us going on a big stage in a big audience, and then also being streamed to millions of people. It’s very nerve racking for a one-off show. Normally we would do a tour and we’d be rolling, but to get all worked up for one show and then — bang, it’s over — seemed really strange.”

Iommi also commented on choosing songs for the set:

“We worked out what we were gonna play, what songs we were gonna play. And it was really a case of how long Ozzy [Osbourne, BLACK SABBATH singer] could do it, really, because we didn’t know — with him doing his own set [right before], which I said to him I didn’t think he should do, because I didn’t want him to get burnt out by the time he’d come with us. But he didn’t, and he did his own set. We ended up doing four songs where we put aside sort of six or seven. But it worked out that we did four. So that was fine.”

He also added the following about Osbourne quickly returning to the stage after completing a solo set:

“Yeah, that was my concern and that was all our concern, actually — Geezer [Butler, SABBATH bassist], myself and Bill. We thought that he should have a longer break. And we didn’t really know how we were gonna do it, because the original plan was we’d get a curtain and the curtain was gonna be raised and we’d all be there. But of course, on the day — well, the day before, when went down for a soundcheck to the stadium — the curtain didn’t work and they thought best not to use it ’cause it was windy. So then we had to figure out how we were gonna get on stage, which was a revolving stage, by the way. It was mainly getting Ozz on, because he’s in his throne. And then Geezer and I walk on. And Bill was already on. So it was making it up as we went on, really.”

Iommi went on to say that the band were ready to perform more songs:

“Well, we had seven songs that we’d gone through, and then it went down to six. And then, of course, there is a strong curfew at the Villa. You know what, Eddie?! I’m surprised they managed to get all the bands in anyway — I really am — because the organization… How [RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist and event’s music curator] Tom Morello had organized that was just incredible. He had really done a great job. But they were working to the minute, and it was touch and go. You couldn’t go over your time span; otherwise I don’t know what would’ve happened because they do work to a serious cut-off.”

He also revealed the tracks that got cut:

“Well, we started with ‘Fairies Wear Boots’, and then we’d done ‘Black Sabbath’. And it was a little difficult for Bill ’cause he hadn’t played them for so long. And Geezer and I, of course, we played them on the last tour. And, of course, Bill hasn’t toured, don’t forget, for a long time. So we could have done six [songs], but we ended up doing four.”

Iommi also added the following about returning to Birmingham after already completing a farewell tour:

“That’s why I said in the first place I didn’t wanna do it, because I said we’d already done the final show before — it was the end, and that’s why it was called ‘The End.’ It was the end, and as far as I was concerned, that was it. And so I disagreed with doing this show for a while. And then, of course, the other three guys wanted to do it. And because it’s for charity, it was a great reason to do it. But, of course, yes, Bill was on [the Villa Park show, where he wasn’t on SABBATH’s final tour]. And a lot of people said they hadn’t seen Bill and why didn’t we finish it off properly with Bill? And so here we are. We’ve done it, finished it off with Bill. And that’s great. We’ve wrapped it now.”

He later commented on Osbourne and Ward’s performances:

“Well, I’m really a bit of a perfectionist, but they can only do what they can do, and you can’t expect anything else. We’re in our seventies and late seventies, so you can only do so much. And to expect perfection from everybody is just impossible at the moment. But they did what they could do, and everybody was fine about it. And I think the audience would know that and accepted that. They weren’t expecting us to go on and be absolutely just brilliant players. We played as we played and as we are now.”

He also joked about Ward removing his shirt:

“Oh my God. I’ll tell you what, one funny story. When we had a break on one of the rehearsals, we went in to eat at the studio, and Bill got his shirt off, and Geezer was just about to have a sandwich. He went, ‘Oh, Bill put your shirt on. You’re putting me off the sandwich.’ [Laughs] But it’s typical Bill. He is always taking his shirt off every time. I mean, in the old days, he’d always take his shirt off. I said to Bill, ‘Blimey, Bill, you look like [ancestral Hobbit] Gollum.’ And I don’t think he knew who Gollum was. He’s always always been the same, Bill. He just doesn’t care. He goes on and does what he wants, which is great. That’s always been Bill. And immediately, of course, all the jokes started again as soon as we were together, having a go at each other. It was really fun, actually. It was great. The communication carried on from years ago.”

[via Blabbermouth]