Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi: "I Can't Actually Do This Anymore"

[ABlairican Pie]

BLACK SABBATH's TONY IOMMI On 'The End' Tour: 'I Can't Actually Do This Anymore'

Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bla...ZKyHKPu00Lh.99

BLACK SABBATH last week announced the first details of a world tour that is being billed as "The End". The North American leg will start on January 20, 2016 in Omaha, Nebraska, ending on February 25 in new York City. Dates in Australia and New Zealand have been confirmed for April, with more shows to be announced next month.

In exclusive interview with the Birmingham Mail, SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi, who has been battling lymphoma since late 2011, stated about the band's decision to call it quits: "I can't actually do this anymore. My body won't take it much more.

"I don't want [the cancer] creeping back again," he continued. "And all the travelling involved in SABBATH tours increasingly takes its toll. That's why we're going out on one last tour, to say our farewells. And then it very definitely is the end. We won't be doing it again."

According to Iommi, his health comes first and he wants to be sure that nothing intrudes on that.

"We've been doing this for getting on for 50 years now," Iommi said. "It's about time we draw the line, don't you think? It's been great but it's time to stop now."

He continued: "Don't get me wrong, I still love gigging. It's all the travelling and the exhaustion that goes with it that's the problem. That side of things has a big impact on me. Yes, we may fly in luxury, stay in the very best hotels, ride in the most comfortable limos, but there's still a physical cost to touring. Even when we build in rest breaks — I have to have blood tests every six weeks — I find it tough going. You take a long haul flight, arrive somewhere at five in the morning and book into a hotel. There's the soundcheck, the promotional work, the gig itself, then you're back at the hotel to collapse into bed. Then next day you get to do it all over again."

Iommi added: "I love being up there onstage, playing with SABBATH. What I don't love is all the other stuff necessary to enable that to happen. None of us are getting any younger, you know."

SABBATH's farewell tour will be "around a year long, including the rest breaks," said Iommi. "Maybe a little longer. It'll be a big production and we'll be putting together a setlist that traces the band's career from our eary days in Birmingham. All the fan favorites will be in there, and we're looking to include some songs we've rarely performed live, too."

Regarding the possibility of original SABBATH drummer Bill Ward returning to the band for its final tour, Iommi said: "That depends on Bill. We met up again six weeks ago and we got on great — but it's down to Bill."

He continued: "Our plans as they stand are to tour with Ozzy, Geezer Butler, myself and Ozzy's drummer Tommy Clufetos, who did so well on the last tour. He can do things with drums that still amaze me. His solos last time out were mind-boggling."

On the topic of a new SABBATH album to follow 2013's "13", Iommi said: "I've been busy writing songs ever since the '13' sessions. At that point, we thought there might be another SABBATH album. But that's up in the air now so I don't know when or where they might appear. The tracks are ready, though."

"13" was the first SABBATH album in 35 years to feature singer Ozzy Osbourne, Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler together, with Bill Ward the only founding member to sit out the record and world tour.

"13" went to No. 1 in both the U.S. and the U.K., a first for the band in America and only their second chart-topper in their native country since 1971.

Ward sat out the recording of "13" and its subsequent tour over what he claimed was a contract dispute, while the other members of SABBATH hinted that he was not physically capable of touring and performing.

The feud flared up again recently with Ward and Ozzy exchanging bitter and sometimes emotional open letters via Facebook.

Ward told Rolling Stone in April that he was "quite capable" of playing a full BLACK SABBATH show and demanded that Ozzy apologize for his remarks.

Ward admitted to past health and weight problems but maintained that he was in shape for recording and touring. He added that his terms for a "signable" contract with SABBATH included "better money" for festival shows along with publishing money.

Ozzy responded to Ward's letter, saying, "Bill, stop this smokescreen about an 'unsignable contract' and let's be honest. Deep down inside, you knew you weren't capable of doing the album and a 16-month tour."

Brad Wilk played drums on "13", while Tommy Clufetos was behind the kit for the group's world tour.

Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bla...shU2TtGB8H6.99

[Dude111]

Very sad

[robyrob]

Black Sabbath is one band that I really want to see live - I've been to several Ozzy concerts, but never Sabbath.

[ABlairican Pie]

Originally Posted by robyrob

Black Sabbath is one band that I really want to see live - I've been to several Ozzy concerts, but never Sabbath.

Well, go see them early next year, this is our last chance!!

I've seen them a number of times since 1976.

November 14, 1976: Seattle Center Coliseum, an early birthday present, as I was turning 14 in a few weeks. The opening band was Target. NOT the store, just a sort of one-hit wonder hard rock band from the mid-70's.
Ozzy was hopping around in high heel boots and the rest of the band just played it straight. For a young fan who had a major Sabbath epiphany that summer, it was a heavenly night!
After the opening track 'Supertzar', signaled the beginning of the show, the band came on and played 'Symptom Of the Universe'. Awesome!!
The band was touring behind their latest album then, 'Technical Ecstasy', which was sort of a disappointing album because it was too polished and lacked the gloom and doom of their earlier albums. It was where it had a little more in common with Boston and other bands at that time. Oh--interesting bit of trivia: The Eagles were recording 'Hotel California' at the same time at the same recording studio, but had problems doing so because Black Sabbath were being too loud with their recording!!

[ABlairican Pie]

http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/riv...nd-world-tour/

RIVAL SONS To Support BLACK SABBATH On 'The End' World Tour

Long Beach, California rockers RIVAL SONS have been announced as main support to BLACK SABBATH for what will be the heavy metal icons' final world tour. Due to kick off on January 20 in Omaha, Nebraska, the scheduled dates will take the band all across the U.S. and Canada, with more shows to be announced soon.

RIVAL SONS guitarist Scott Holiday says: "Every now and again, the universe just speaks to ya and planets align. This is definitely one of those cool situations for us.

"A while back we played an award show. The Osbourne family happened to be in the audience. Luckily, the [attendees] —-which included the upper crust of classic rock and some of the world's most famous — really enjoyed our little three-song set, especially Ozzy, Sharon and the kids. Standing ovation and all. We chatted and hung with the Osbournes after the show, which was just incredible on its own. But something much greater has transpired.

"We couldn't be more honored and excited to announce we'll be supporting the legendary BLACK SABBATH on their upcoming world tour(s)!! This will take us to most of those places we haven't been yet and back through the many places we have made so many friends and fans.

"Here we go, folks... BLACK SABBATH and RIVAL SONS coming to your town… city... country soon!"

Tour dates:

Jan 20 - Omaha, NE - Century Link Center
Jan 22 - Chicago, IL - United Center
Jan 25 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Center
Jan 28 - Saskatoon, SK, Canada - Sasktel Centre
Jan 30 - Edmonton, AB, Canada - Rexall Centre
Feb. 01 - Calgary, AB, Canada - Scotiabank Saddledome
Feb. 03 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - Rogers Arena
Feb. 06 - Tacoma, WA - Tacoma Dome
Feb. 09 - San Jose, CA - SAP Center
Feb. 11 - Los Angeles, CA - The Forum
Feb. 13 - Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay Events Center
Feb. 15 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
Feb. 17 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
Feb. 18 - Detroit, MI - The Palace of Auburn Hills
Feb. 21 - Hamilton, ON, Canada - FirstOntario Centre
Feb. 23 - Montreal, QC, Canada - Bell Centre
Feb. 25 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden

RIVAL SONS latest album, "Great Western Valkyrie", was released on June 10, 2014 in the USA (one day earlier internationally). The CD was recorded with producer Dave Cobb at LCS Studios in Nashville, Tennessee.

Read more at http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/riv...xvXxx0LzDHb.99

[ABlairican Pie]

The next time I saw Black Sabbath was on September 28, 1978, at the Seattle Center Arena, a smaller venue by the Coliseum. This was for the 'Never Say Die!' tour, which, I was unaware at the time, undertaken under very dubious circumstances.

I had no idea that the band, during the glorious year before for me, had gone through personnel conflicts--Ozzy briefly left in 1977 after his father had died and he faced severe emotional crises. The band carried on with Dave Walker of the Savoy Brown band for a while, but then Ozzy returned. The band was at a very low point but attempted to make a comeback.

'Never Say Die!' made 'Technical Ecstasy' look stellar by comparison: The band's songs seemed rather stitched together and poppy. Tony Iommi experimented with jazzy guitar and even put together an instrumental with horns. In spite of the title track being a hit in England in 1978, the album contained few gems except for the synth-y 'Johnny Blade' and the heavy-ish doom-and-gloom track "Shock Wave". Ozzy was unimpressed with the whole affair and with his place in the band at that point.

It was about to get worse from there: The band was going on tour with a new band making headlines in the music news as the act to watch for--a little young band from Pasadena by the name of VAN HALEN. For a veteran band as Sabbath now running on fumes, this was a move that the band was going to regret--the new "atomic punks" were about to steal Ozzy and Co.'s thunder each and every night, from what everyone would say.

I knew that that night was going to be memorable--I thrilled to the licks of Eddie Van Halen's "Eruption", as well as the pounding by Michael Anthony's bass and Alex Van Halen's drums. It was also classic to hear David Lee Roth shout: "We've just come back from Milwaukee to try some of Milwaukee's finest--and I ain't talking about gawddamned beer!!!" Their set was so tight and amazing. They were the band to watch for, all right! Except this has been the only time I had seen them.

I did bring a camera, which was permissible back then, and took pictures. Interestingly, I hadn't noticed until later that, for some reason, Ozzy stood at the side of the stage while Tony stood in the middle. Hmmm. But Ozzy was all over the place and looked like he was having a good time. It was exciting when I stood at the front of the stage and saw Ozzy looking right at me as he strutted by! Tony Iommi played a long mellowish guitar solo, "Orchid", which was an odd choice, but I enjoyed it.

I think it was for this reason that Ozzy was frustrated with the band at this point. Other bands were progressing, like Van Halen, and Sabbath were remaining stagnant. It was affecting his morale deeply. And that was not the only thing affecting him: his high intake of drugs and alcohol were making him increasingly unstable. During the tour with Van Halen, the openers (VH) were suspected of stealing the headliner's (BS) stage moves. Ozzy was sent to go to Van Halen's dressing room and give them a verbal reprimand. He did so and started off on yelling at the young band at great length. The members of Van Halen stopped him.
"What are you going on about?"
Ozzy paused and thought. He couldn't even remember!! He had no idea, it just came across and some incoherent rant. This was not good.

Ozzy had a feeling his days with Sabbath were numbered.

[ABlairican Pie]

Well, sure enough, the band finally got up the courage to tell Ozzy the bad news: He was out of the band. He was so messed up on drugs and alcohol, that he was unfocused and could not cope any longer as a productive member of the band. Ozzy was devastated. He left and holed himself up in Los Angeles, pondering his next move--IF there was a next move.

Meanwhile, the rest of the band pretty much imploded. Geezer finally decided that he'd had enough, and Tony was left with Bill Ward to figure out what to do next. Meeting up with vocalist Ronnie James Dio, who had been dismissed from
Rainbow, the two began what would become a brilliant musical collaboration--and Black Sabbath would be back.

[ABlairican Pie]

In 1980, Black Sabbath came roaring back--with a new album fronted by a new singer: Ronnie James Dio delivered a stunning performance on their latest, titled 'Heaven And Hell', which was light years ahead of the slapped together mess that was 'Never Say Die!'. The album stormed off with "Neon Knights", one the band's heaviest tracks ever, followed by "Children Of the Sea", a soaring balladesque track with acoustic guitar and power chords. A pulsating bass line was featured in "Lady Evil", and then the title track which became a new anthem for the band. "Die Young", on Side 2, was another standout track.
Black Sabbath entered the 80's focused more than they had been in the past several years.
But would crowds go for a Ozzy-less Sabbath?

This was to be answered handily with the reception the band received in places such as Milwaukee, where audiences were so into the reinvigorated Sabbath that Geezer Butler sustained an injury when a fan threw a large cross at him, which cut his face and sliced his bass strings. The show got so out of hand that a near riot broke out and the concert had to be shut down.
Ahh, the power of metal.

I hadn't gone to their show in Seattle at Memorial Stadium that summer, but I did hear it also got pretty crazy. Black Sabbath was co-headlining with Blue Oyster Cult, with Molly Hatchet and Riot (NOT Quiet Riot, but the band who was known for "Swords And Tequila") opening. Police had to quell the crowd where many were out of control from drugs and alcohol. I would have loved THAT show!!