Guitarist Gus G recently addressed his absence from Ozzy Osbourne’s “Back to the Beginning” farewell event. He clarified the circumstances behind not being invited to the performance, according to Bravewords.
When asked whether his exclusion from the event was a sensitive topic for him, Gus G explained that it was not a source of concern. “No, it’s not. Not at all for me. I was just not in touch at all. I had no idea,” he said. “They acquainted Tom Morello as a musical director and I guess he called the people he thought should be on the list. You know, I guess I wasn’t on the list, so it’s okay.”
Gus G emphasized his positive perspective on the event rather than expressing disappointment. “I’m not sad about it. I’m happy it happened, as a metal fan. Because I’m a fan, you know? And I mean, I got my fair share of jamming with Ozzy. How many people can say that? That they’ve done that?”
Gus G’s comments provide insight into the curation process behind one of metal’s most significant events. Tom Morello served as the musical director for “Back to the Beginning,” bringing his own vision to curate what would become a historic metal celebration, as reported by Ultimate Guitar.
The concert took place on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK. This marked a momentous occasion in heavy metal history. Wikipedia notes that the event featured the first reunion of Black Sabbath’s original lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—in 20 years. An all-star lineup accompanied them, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, and Mastodon.
Gus G’s history with Ozzy remains significant despite not being part of the main lineup. Ultimate Classic Rock revealed that Gus G had previously performed as part of Ozzy’s solo band during various tours and performances. This gave him substantial experience working alongside the legendary vocalist.
The event held deeper meaning beyond its star-studded roster. VHND documented that the concert was organized as a benefit. All profits were shared equally between Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Due to his advanced Parkinson’s disease, Ozzy performed while seated on a throne during the event, making this final performance all the more poignant for the metal community.
