Tony Iommi’s final conversation with Ozzy Osbourne: “He said he wasn’t feeling great”
Even after years of watching Ozzy Osbourne battle health problems, Tony Iommi says the Black Sabbath frontman’s death still came as “a hell of a shock”.
Having formed Black Sabbath together in 1968, the pair spent nearly six decades as bandmates, collaborators and close friends, remaining in regular contact throughout their respective health struggles.
In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Iommi reflects on Black Sabbath’s emotional farewell show, the final text message he received from Osbourne, and why he still struggles to believe his longtime bandmate is really gone.
READ MORE: “I hate playing acoustic”: Why Tony Iommi is pushing himself outside his comfort zone on new solo album
Looking back on Black Sabbath’s farewell performance, Iommi admits the show felt unlike anything the band had done before.
“On the night, it felt very strange for me because obviously we’d never been onstage with Ozzy in a throne before, sitting down,” says Iommi. “He was always jumping around, pulling faces, and making me and Geezer laugh. But on this occasion, I couldn’t see him because he’s in that throne at the front.”
With drummer Bill Ward returning to the fold for the first time in two decades, Iommi also spent much of the set positioned closer to the drum kit: “Bill wanted me to stand back by him just because he was unsure of some bits. And so I did.”
Watching the performance back has only made it more emotional. While he knew Osbourne’s health had been declining, Iommi says he “didn’t expect it to happen that quick.”
The guitarist also shared details of the final exchange the pair had before Osbourne’s passing.
“He texted me the night before, funny enough, and said he weren’t feeling great and so on. But obviously, most of our conversations to each other have been, ‘How are you feeling? How’s this? How’s that?’ And so it was just another conversation,” Iommi recalls. “I didn’t expect him to go overnight. Blimey. It was a hell of a shock, really.”
The two had remained close throughout their respective health battles, with Iommi recalling how they regularly checked in on one another over the years.
“We did stay in touch a lot. And he was going through so many different things and constantly in and out of hospital and having this done and that done. And again, he stood by me when I was diagnosed with cancer. He called me every day. So we’ve been supportive of each other. I do miss our conversations.”
Asked how he’s coped in the months since Osbourne’s death, Iommi admits the loss still hasn’t fully sunk in.
“It’s been really strange. I still don’t feel like he’s gone because when I look on YouTube or whatever, there’s something to do with Ozzy, and I see him again and again,” he says. “It’s almost like he’s still here. It’s really peculiar. Only, we were in touch so many times. That’s what I miss.”
Away from Black Sabbath, Iommi is preparing to release his first solo album in 21 years. From the Dark arrives on 23 October via BMG and features Norwegian vocalist Jørn Lande, Mercyful Fate bassist Becky Baldwin, and former Robbie Williams drummer Karl Brazil.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
