Sharon Osbourne has explained why Megadeth did not perform at Black Sabbath’s final show, Back to the Beginning. She addressed the absence during an interview with Rolling Stone.
Megadeth had been rumored to be removed from the bill due to financial demands. Osbourne denied this claim and instead pointed to scheduling constraints as the reason for the band’s absence.
“We really, really wanted Megadeth,” Sharon Osbourne said. “There was no time, we couldn’t fit everybody in on one day. There were so many bands that were due to play that we just couldn’t because there was not enough time.”
She reflected on the performances that did take place. “There [were] so many great, great performances. It was just overwhelming. Even down to when the drummers were up there, Travis [Barker] and Chad [Smith] and [Tool’s] Danny [Carey]. Everything was just great that day.”
Osbourne also praised guitarist Tom Morello for his role at the event. “Tom Morello was an absolute saint and he is incredible. His sense of music and of what’s right and what’s not right, he’s just an incredible person. He needs a sainthood. He is the saint of metal. He’s so wise and knows what he’s talking about on so many different levels.”
The comments came as Osbourne discussed Black Sabbath’s final show and addressed the rumors surrounding Megadeth’s exclusion from the band.
Back to the Beginning took place on July 5 at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, and featured the original Black Sabbath lineup along with Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Mastodon and a supergroup featuring Tom Morello, Billy Corgan, Jonathan Davis, Fred Durst, Wolfgang Van Halen and Slash. It was the first time the original lineup had performed together in 20 years. The concert was a benefit event that raised over £140 million.
Megadeth’s absence was notable because the band is one of the “Big Four” thrash metal bands, while the other three members of that group—Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax—all participated in the show. According to Megadeth bassist James LoMenzo in an unpublished interview for Japan’s Burrn! magazine, the band was not even approached to participate. Dave Mustaine had stated that Megadeth were touring Europe with Disturbed at the time.
Megadeth and Black Sabbath had previous connections spanning decades. The bands had performed together on a 9-date Latin America tour in 2013, opened for a reunited Black Sabbath on their Canadian tour in 2007, and appeared together on New Year’s Eve 1998 alongside Soulfly, Slayer and Pantera. Ozzy Osbourne had previously stated: “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Dave Mustaine. Dave’s always stayed true to himself and has never been interested in chasing musical trends. If you ask me that’s been the key to Megadeth’s success and longevity in the business.”
