Judas Priest’s Rob Halford “gutted” to not be a part of Black Sabbath’s closing present

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford has shared that he's “gutted” to not be participating in Black Sabbath’s closing present, and was unaware of the gig till it was too late.

Set to happen at Villa Park stadium in Birmingham on July 5, the present will see the legendary metallic band carry out collectively dwell for the final time and also will mark Ozzy Osbourne‘s closing dwell efficiency.

It was introduced again in February, and confirmed to have a stacked line-up that features a few of the greatest names in metallic. Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice In Chains, Gojira, Smashing Pumpkins‘ Billy Corgan, KoRn and extra have been amongst a few of the first acts introduced, and later additions included Instrument, Weapons N’ Roses, Jason Momoa, Anthrax, Soundgarden and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

Rage In opposition to The Machine guitarist Tom Morello is serving as musical director – a task he's “honoured” to have taken on.

Whereas the invoice is rife with big names, one of many acts lacking from the line-up is fellow Birmingham heavy metallic pioneers Judas Priest. Talking in a brand new interview with Metal Hammer, frontman Rob Halford defined why the band received’t be participating, and revealed that he's “gutted” to overlook the band’s swansong.

On the identical night time because the Villa Park present, Judas Priest might be enjoying a gig with Scorpions in Hannover, celebrating the German exhausting rock bands’ sixtieth anniversary. This, Halford defined, was locked in earlier than information of the Black Sabbath occasion was shared.

“I had no concept it was taking place,” he stated. “We’ve identified this man Ossy Hoppe – he’s like a god in Germany for metallic – [and] he got here in to see me at one in all our final reveals and says, ‘Would you take into account doing one thing actually particular and vital? I’m placing on the Scorpions for his or her sixtieth anniversary, of their hometown. Would you're employed with the band?’”

“I used to be identical to, ‘Completed! We’ve bought no plans it’s all good’,” the ‘Breaking The Legislation’ hitmaker added. “All of it bought introduced… and all of the sudden I get this telephone name [from Sharon Osbourne, saying]: ‘Robbie, I do know you’ve bought this gig with Scorpions, however might you take into account coming over to do a factor with Ozzy and the blokes, he’d like to see you.’”

Halford continued, revealing that Sharon provided to fly him to Birmingham and again on a personal jet so he might make a visitor look.

“My thoughts went to Phil Collins when he did Dwell Support, the place he bought on the Harmony from London to Philadelphia to play two gigs in two locations,” he added, earlier than saying that he turned down the supply as a result of it felt prefer it might be “harmful”.

“Even with a personal aircraft, there’s a phrase known as ‘technical’, the place one thing might go fallacious, or the climate that point of 12 months might trigger issues… I used to be completely gutted.”

Whereas no present member of Judas Priest is scheduled for Sabbath’s closing present, Halford did spotlight how Ok.Ok. Downing – who was the guitarist for the band from their formation up till 2011 – is on the invoice and can symbolize “the spirit of the band”.

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The massive Birmingham gig is now lower than two months away, nevertheless, there may be nonetheless uncertainty round how a lot Ozzy Osbourne is anticipated to carry out on the day. In a current interview, the singer reiterated that the occasion won't embody any full units with Sabbath or his solo band, and added that he “could also be sitting down” for the efficiency.

Earlier than that, Sammy Hagar – who can be on the invoice – stated that Osbourne hoped to sing 5 songs in whole, whereas Instrument’s Maynard James Keenan has shared it might take “trendy miracles” to get the frontman on stage as soon as once more.

Guitarist Zakk Wylde, in the meantime, hinted that the Prince Of Darkness could carry out from a “throne that flies over the stadium”, and chatting with NME with Tony Iommi at Villa Park, Sharon stated her husband is feeling “actually nice” and, though he's scuffling with Parkinson’s, “it doesn’t have an effect on his voice.”

The night time might be hosted by Aquaman actor Jason Momoa – who not too long ago instructed NME that it was going to be “the best present on this planet” – and Tom Morello has teased that there are going to be some “surprises” from “big superstars” on the day.

As for Judas Priest, after their present with Scorpions in July, the band might be hitting the street once more in 2025 for a co-headline tour with Alice Cooper. It’ll characteristic gigs throughout North America, Europe and the UK, and features a cease at The O2 in London on July 25. Visit here for UK tickets and here for North American and European tickets.