This upcoming July, Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne will take the stage for the ultimate time in Birmingham, UK. The star-studded occasion will characteristic performances from Metallica, Slayer, Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, Tom Morello, Software Soundgarden, Weapons N’ Roses, Steven Tyler, Panrera, and lots of extra.
One act lacking from the lineup, nonetheless, is Judas Priest.
In a brand new interview with Steel Hammer, frontman Rob Halford defined why the band is not going to be taking part within the large occasion later this yr. Whereas he admits he’s “gutted” to be lacking out, they sadly already had a present booked with Scorpions in Hannover, Germany to rejoice the latter band’s sixtieth anniversary.
“I had no thought it was taking place,” he stated of Black Sabbath’s ultimate present. “We’ve recognized this man Ossy Hoppe – he’s like a god in Germany for steel – [and] he got here in to see me at considered one of our final exhibits and says, ‘Would you take into account doing one thing actually particular and vital? I’m placing on the Scorpions for his or her sixtieth anniversary, of their hometown. Would you’re employed with the band?’”
“I used to be similar to, ‘Carried out! We’ve received no plans it’s all good’,” Halford added. “All of it received introduced… and abruptly I get this telephone name [from Sharon Osbourne, saying]: ‘Robbie, I do know you’ve received this gig with Scorpions, however may you take into account coming over to do a factor with Ozzy and the blokes, he’d like to see you.’”
He continued, saying that Sharon had even supplied to fly him to Birmingham and again on a personal jet simply so he may make a visitor look on the occasion.
“My thoughts went to Phil Collins when he did Stay Assist, the place he received on the Harmony from London to Philadelphia to play two gigs in two locations,” he added, earlier than saying that he turned down the supply as a result of it felt prefer it may very well be “harmful”.
“Even with a personal airplane, there’s a phrase referred to as ‘technical’, the place one thing may go unsuitable, or the climate that point of yr may trigger issues… I used to be completely gutted.”