Longtime Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has recently voiced his skepticism about the possibility of a final Black Sabbath show, despite expressing a personal interest in reuniting with his former bandmates. Butler, who co-founded the iconic heavy metal band with Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward in 1968, shared his thoughts on the matter during an appearance on Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk.
Butler’s comments come in the wake of similar sentiments expressed by Osbourne and Iommi, both of whom have shown enthusiasm for a potential reunion with the original lineup, including drummer Bill Ward. However, Butler admitted that while the idea is appealing, there are significant hurdles to overcome. “Of course there’s an interest on my part to do it,” Butler said, “but there’s a big ‘but’ – you’d have to speak to Bill about it.”
The bassist further elaborated on his concerns, suggesting that while everyone involved might be eager for a final show, Ward’s ability to perform remains uncertain. “Everybody wants to do it, but I don’t know if Ward is capable of pulling it off,” Butler added.
Black Sabbath officially disbanded in 2017 following a farewell tour, but Ward had already left the band in 2012, citing an unsatisfactory contract as the reason for his departure. The idea of a reunion with the original four members gained traction when Osbourne discussed it positively on his podcast, The Madhouse Chronicles. Osbourne expressed his dissatisfaction with how the band’s career ended, stating, “It wasn’t Black Sabbath that finished it. It’s unfinished.”
Osbourne went on to say that he would be thrilled to perform one more gig with Ward. “If they wanted to do one more gig with Bill, I would jump at the chance. I was sad that Bill wasn’t there,” he said, acknowledging the contributions of Tommy Clufetos, who replaced Ward in 2012, but emphasizing that Clufetos “ain’t Bill Ward.”
Tony Iommi, the band’s legendary guitarist, also weighed in on the possibility of a reunion during a recent interview. While he called the idea “a nice one,” he expressed doubts about its feasibility. “It’d be a nice idea, but you’re gonna get everybody going, ‘Oh, they’re doing it for the money. They’re doing it for this, they’re doing it for that,’” Iommi said. He added that while it would be a meaningful event, the likelihood of it happening remains uncertain. “It’s a funny old thing, really. I mean, God, we’ll be 90 by the time we do that,” he quipped.
The last time Osbourne, Iommi, Butler, and Ward performed a full-length concert together was on September 4, 2005, at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida. Since then, the band has seen various lineup changes and has faced numerous challenges, including health issues and contractual disputes.
Despite the obstacles, the idea of a final Black Sabbath show with the original lineup continues to captivate fans and band members alike. The band’s legacy as pioneers of heavy metal and their influence on the genre are undeniable, making the prospect of one last performance a tantalizing possibility.
However, the reality of such a reunion remains complex. Ward’s health and ability to perform are significant concerns, and the logistics of organizing a final show with all original members are daunting. Additionally, the band members’ advanced ages and the physical demands of performing live add another layer of difficulty.
While the dream of a final Black Sabbath show with Osbourne, Iommi, Butler, and Ward remains alive in the hearts of many, the practical challenges make it an uncertain prospect. For now, fans can only hope that the stars align and that the legendary band can come together one last time to deliver a performance that would undoubtedly be a historic moment in the world of heavy metal.
