Tool guitarist Adam Jones has revealed how the band nearly declined to participate in Ozzy Osbourne’s final show. He shared details about the decision-making process in an interview with Guitar World.
Jones explained how the band members initially had reservations about accepting the invitation to perform at the historic event.
“The four of us [in Tool] were on the phone, or texting – I can’t remember – and someone went, ‘I don’t think I can do it,'” Jones said. “Someone else went, ‘Okay, yeah, I think I’m gonna do this other thing.’ I think I even went, ‘Yeah, let’s not do it.’ But it was really an honor that they asked us.”
The guitarist then described how conversations with Tom Morello led to a change in perspective.
“Months later, Tom Morello contacted me and said, ‘Would you be down to play something with me?'” Jones continued. “I was like, ‘Hmmm, that could be fun. Yeah!’ He goes, ‘It’ll just be me, you and Billy Corgan.’ He was thinking we could play a tune, so I said, ‘Yeah, that’s fine. But if plans change, I won’t feel bad if you decide that you don’t want me to do it – but let’s do it.'”
Jones revealed the moment that changed everything for Tool’s participation.
“I was again talking to Tom, and I went, ‘Yeah, I’m sorry we all couldn’t do it,'” he said. “He goes, ‘Well, you know Dan [Carey, Tool’s drummer] is playing with these guys, and Maynard [James Keenan, Tool’s singer] is playing with these people…’ I went, ‘I didn’t know that…’ It hit me, and I said, ‘If the three of us are there – and I know Justin [Chancellor, bass] will want to do it…’ I went back to our people and went, ‘Why don’t we just do it? We’re all going to be there.’ That’s how it happened – and why it was announced later.”
The decision to participate in Ozzy’s farewell show marks a significant moment in Tool’s typically reserved public presence.
WGRD reported that Tool has maintained a notably elusive public presence throughout their career. The band rarely grants interviews or makes public statements. This made their participation in this historic event even more remarkable.
Tool’s frontman Maynard James Keenan spoke about the significance of Ozzy’s farewell show. The PRP documented his statement: “I don’t know what kind of modern miracles we’ll come up with to get him on stage to do the songs.”
Music historians noted that Tool’s members have a rich history of collaborations during their band’s downtime. Maynard worked with A Perfect Circle. Adam collaborated with The Melvins’ Buzz Osborne. Danny performed alongside Dead Kennedys’ Jello Biafra. This collaborative spirit ultimately contributed to their decision to join forces for Ozzy’s momentous farewell performance.
The band’s participation in this historic event adds another significant chapter to their legacy in the rock and metal community. It bridges their typically private nature with a public celebration of one of metal’s most iconic figures.
