“I dreamed everything went wrong on stage”: Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler opens up about anxieties of final live show

Black Sabbath, the English rock band formed in 1968, is returning with its original lineup for its last show, 'Back to the Beginning', in Birmingham this July. The lineup consists of frontman Ozzy Osbourne, drummer Bill Ward, guitarist Tony Iommi, and bassist Geezer Butler.

Speaking to The Guardian, Geezer Butler opened up about he anxieties he's feeling ahead of the final upcoming show. He said:

''I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed everything went wrong on stage and we all turned to dust.''

The classic lineup will be performing for the first time in twenty years on July 5, 2025.

Black Sabbath's bassist, Geezer Butler, opens up about pre-show anxieties

Black Sabbath, the pioneers of heavy metal music, will be coming together in Birmingham, England, to give their final performance. In an interview with The Guardian, the bassist Geezer Butler shared about the anxieties he's feeling for the upcoming gig. He said:

''I’m already having palpitations. In fact, I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed everything went wrong on stage and we all turned to dust. It’s important that we leave a great impression, since it’s the final time that people will experience us live. So it has to be great on the night.''

The frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, also shared his struggles ahead of the show. Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, and then in 2023, he underwent a spinal surgery. Even through his health struggles, he continued working. In 2020, he released the twelfth studio album Ordinary Man, and in 2022, he released the thirteenth studio album, Patient Number 9.

In the interview, Ozzy pointed out and said that Black Sabbath is not planning on doing a full-length set, but they'll be doing only a couple of songs. He said:

''We’re only playing a couple of songs each. I don’t want people thinking, ‘We’re getting ripped off’, because it’s just going to be … what’s the word? … a sample, you’re going to get a few songs each by Ozzy and Sabbath.''

He then spoke of how he'll be performing this year, given his health conditions. He said:

“I’m used to doing two hours on stage, jumping and running around. I don’t think I’ll be doing much jumping or running around this time. I may be sitting down, but the point is I’ll be there, and I’ll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up.”

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Other well-known bands, including Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Mastodon, Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, Ghost, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megadeth, and Van Halen, will also be performing at Black Sabbath's concert.

The proceeds from the concert will be going to benefit Cure Parkinson’s, Acorns Children’s Hospice, and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

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