Additional Coverage:
- Black Sabbath fans convinced they know which band Sharon Osbourne axed from farewell show (irishstar.com)
Birmingham, England – Black Sabbath’s grand farewell concert, “Back to the Beginning,” at Villa Park Stadium has sparked a flurry of speculation. Sharon Osbourne, wife and manager of Ozzy Osbourne, revealed she booted a band from the lineup for attempting to “cash in” on the momentous occasion, sending fans into a frenzy of online detective work.
The rumor mill went into overdrive on social media, with many fans pointing fingers at Mötley Crüe and Kiss. Some fans cited Mötley Crüe’s controversial reunion tour and Mick Mars’ subsequent departure as evidence of their money-grabbing motives.
Others felt Kiss, known for their merchandising empire, were the more likely culprits. Comments like “KISS, had to be KISS.
Gene Simmons is all about that money” were common on fan forums. Kiss recently wrapped up their “End of the Road” tour, further fueling suspicion.
While rumors also briefly touched on Iron Maiden and Megadeth, these were quickly dispelled. Sharon Osbourne confirmed to Metal Hammer that Iron Maiden was not involved, while Kelly Osbourne denied Megadeth’s involvement via social media.
Sharon Osbourne initially hinted at the drama in a pre-concert interview, stating, “It’s not the time to make a profit,” and promising to reveal the identity of the mystery band after the show.
The “Back to the Beginning” concert, a celebration of Black Sabbath’s 56-year career, saw over 40,000 fans gather to witness the original lineup – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward – perform together for the last time. The star-studded event also featured performances by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Halestorm, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Mastodon, and Rival Sons.
Fans eagerly await Sharon Osbourne’s official announcement, as speculation continues to mount.