Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Tony Iommi reunited today, August 8th, 2022, to close the Commonwealth Games in their hometown of Birmingham, England, where the band formed over 53 years ago. They performed a short version of their song “Iron Man” as well the full version of their songs “Paranoid,” both genre classics. The band was joined by Black Sabbath backing musicians Adam Wakeman, who played bass and keyboards, and drummer Tommy Clufetos. No word if Geezer Butler or Bill Ward were approached for the gig. This was Ozzy’s first live perfromance, other than television, since Ozzfest LA on New Year’s Eve in 2018. Last month to open the games, Iommi and acclaimed saxophonist Soweto Kinch led a “dream sequence” piece, titled “Hear My Voice”, based on the lead track from the 2020 film “Trial Of The Chicago Seven” at the event on July 28. After Tony and Soweto played an extended instrumental lead-in, they were joined by the City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and a 700-strong community choir.

 

A few years ago, Osbourne said that he was open to the possibility of a SABBATH reunion at the Commonwealth Games, telling ITV that it “would be fantastic” to play at the the opening ceremony for the 2022 Games. “With BLACK SABBATH or on my own,” he said at the time.

 

The ceremony took place at Alexander Stadium in front of an audience of more than 30,000, with the event also being broadcast live on BBC One and iPlayer to an estimated global television audience of one billion.