Ozzy Osbourne Talks About Black Sabbath Regret and A Surprise Show With Bill Ward
Ozzy Osbourne live in the 1980s - Ozzy Osbourne / Youtube
In a recent episode of their internet TV series, ‘The Madhouse Chronicles,’ Ozzy Osbourne, alongside Billy Morrison, opened up about Black Sabbath’s final album, ’13,’ and his feelings about the band’s conclusion. Known for his candidness, Osbourne shared some personal reflections that shed light on the emotional complexities behind the curtain of this iconic band.
Reflecting on Unfinished Business and the Essence of Black Sabbath
During their conversation, when questioned if he was content with how Black Sabbath wrapped up its monumental journey, Osbourne’s response was surprisingly straightforward and sincere. He expressed a sense of incompleteness about the band’s last chapter.
“No. Because it wasn’t Black Sabbath that finished it. It’s unfinished. If they wanted to do one more gig with Bill, I would jump at the chance. Do you know what would be cool? If we went to a club or something unannounced and we just got up and did it. We started up in a club.”
This idea of an impromptu performance, especially with Bill Ward, clearly holds a special place in Osbourne’s heart. It’s an intriguing thought for fans, imagining the band returning to its roots for one more show, captivating the essence of their early days.
Osbourne’s reflections didn’t stop with the sentiments on the band’s end but also extended to Black Sabbath’s last album, ’13’, released in 2013. Despite the commercial success and critical acclaim it received, Osbourne harbors a notable reservation. In a separate interview with Stereogum in September 2022, he delved deeper into his feelings about the album and the band’s status. When prodded about whether Black Sabbath was entirely behind him, Osbourne opened up about his singular regret concerning the album.
“I would like to say it’s completely done. I think it’s time. The only thing I really regret, to be honest, is that Bill Ward didn’t play on the album. It wasn’t really a Black Sabbath album.”
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The Significance of Authenticity in Black Sabbath’s Music Production
Osbourne’s lament about Bill Ward’s absence on ’13’ underscores a significant aspect of what he believes constitutes the essence of Black Sabbath. His criticism of the album not being recorded in a manner true to the band’s original methods since their fourth album, ‘Vol. 4’, indicates a departure from what he considers the genuine Black Sabbath sound.
“I’m not saying that one day we might not all go in a room and come up with the perfect Black Sabbath album. But I’ll say, [’13’] wasn’t recorded the way Black Sabbath recorded records. We’d gone right back past the point where we took charge, back to when someone else had full control of our recording. Which we never did from ‘Vol. 4’ onwards.”
These remarks offer a glimpse into Osbourne’s view of authenticity in music production, suggesting that the band’s best work was created when they had full control over their recording process.
