Sammy Hagar recently performed an acoustic version of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Flying High Again” at a live event. He sought to make amends for a previous performance mishap, as reported in a statement shared on Instagram.
The performance was Hagar’s attempt to correct lyrics he had messed up during Ozzy’s “Back To The Beginning” show tribute.
“I had the chance last night to jump on stage at an event, and I thought it was a good opportunity to do an acoustic first verse of ‘Flying High Again’ and redeem myself by for messing up the lyrics at the Back To The Beginning show,” Hagar said. “Still can’t believe he’s gone.”
The tribute performance came following Osbourne’s passing. Hagar used the opportunity to honor the metal legend properly.
Hagar’s redemption performance stems from his appearance at what became a historic farewell concert for the Prince of Darkness. American Songwriter reported that the “Back To The Beginning” show held on July 5 in Birmingham, U.K., marked Ozzy’s final solo performance and featured a reunion with the original Black Sabbath lineup.
The star-studded event brought together some of metal’s biggest names to celebrate Osbourne’s legendary career. Ultimate Classic Rock noted that the concert featured performances by Guns N’ Roses and Metallica. This made it a significant moment in metal history that drew fans from around the world.
During the original performance, Hagar faced an unexpected change that led to his lyrical mishap. WCSX revealed that Hagar had originally been set to perform “No More Tears.” Ozzy decided to sing it himself at the last minute, forcing Hagar to switch to “Flying High Again” without adequate preparation time.
The former Van Halen frontman also performed “Rock Candy” from his Montrose days during the farewell concert. This showcased his connection to classic rock history. Despite some mixed reactions to his performance at the time, the event itself was widely praised for its celebration of Ozzy’s decades-spanning legacy in heavy metal music.
