Tony Iommi says Black Sabbath refused to play Power Trip festival: “I didn’t know Ozzy Osbourne would do it alone”.
The highly anticipated Power Trip festival, featuring a lineup of hard rock icons such as AC/DC, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, and Ozzy Osbourne, is set to take place from October 6 to 8 at the Coachella site in California.
Tony Iommi, the guitarist of Black Sabbath, recently opened up about the band’s decision to decline an invitation to perform at the festival during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk.
Iommi revealed, “It was a difficult decision for us because Ozzy [Osbourne] has been going through a lot lately. He has been in and out of the hospital and has been facing considerable struggles. He really wants to get back on stage. However, I had concerns about the readiness of the other band members and whether Ozzy was physically prepared for a show. So, I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea.”
Interestingly, Iommi admitted that he was unaware that Osbourne would be performing solo at the festival, exclaiming with a laugh, “But it’s great! I hope he can do it, and I hope it will be amazing. He truly wants to perform and is doing his best to get back on track. He has been through so much lately, and it’s truly unfortunate. But he is still fighting.”
In a separate interview on the Fuelling Around podcast, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson expressed his excitement about the festival and discussed the significance of rock and roll music. Johnson mentioned, “We’ve decided to be a part of this incredible show they have organized in the desert near Palm Springs, close to the Coachella festival.
It’s a gathering of various rock and roll bands, and it’s absolutely fantastic. It’s a way to acknowledge that rock and roll is a legitimate and game-changing form of music. I’m looking forward to reuniting with old pals like Ozzy Osbourne, as well as the members of Guns N’ Roses, Metallica, and Iron Maiden. It’s going to be an epic party!”
Johnson also mentioned that the festival will take place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, and he expressed his enthusiasm for simply being on stage and delivering an electrifying performance.
Although Black Sabbath won’t be part of the Power Trip festival lineup, the event promises an unforgettable experience for rock and roll enthusiasts, with iconic bands and musicians coming together to celebrate the genre’s enduring legacy. Fans can anticipate a thrilling weekend filled with powerhouse performances in a beautiful valley setting near Coachella.
