Tool’s Maynard James Keenan Says “Modern Miracles” Will Be Necessary for Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Gig

Maynard James Keenan has some doubts about Ozzy Osbourne’s final show. In an interview with Loudwire Nights, the Tool frontman expressed concern about whether or not Osbourne will be able to perform Black Sabbath’s final concert in July.

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Dubbed Back to the Beginning, the concert will see Osbourne reunite with Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for the first time in 20 years. It will mark Osbourne’s final show ever before he retires from performing.

The band will be supported by acts including Tool, Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, and more the Birmingham concert.

Despite the hype for the show, Keenan isn’t sure if Osbourne will be able to make it through his set.

He told the outlet that his fears for the concert stem seeing how Osbourne, who’s battling Parkinson’s disease, was “moving around” at his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony last year.

“The conversation about going to do the song [at Back to the Beginning] was like, ‘We’ll have this conversation, but, ahh… I don’t know that this [concert] gonna happen,’” Keenan said. “And even now, I’m cautious about saying, ‘Yeah! All in, he’s gonna do it.’”

“Because man, I don’t know what kind of modern miracles we’ll come up with to get him on stage to do the songs, but this is gonna be a challenge for them,” he continued. “So, I’m honored to be a part of it, but I’m kinda preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best, as they say.”

Ozzy Osbourne Speaks Out About His Final Show

Amid Keenan’s concerns, Osbourne spoke out about the upcoming concert in a conversation with Billy Morrison on SiriusXM.

“It’s endurance training,” Osbourne said of how he’s preparing for the show. “The first thing to go when you’re laid up is your stamina. So believe it or not, I’m doing two sets of three-minute walks and weight training. I’m going and going, you know?” 

“I’m waking up in my body,” he assured fans. “I mean, three minutes to you, for instance, is nothing. But I’ve been laying on my back recovering from umpteen surgeries.”

Osbourne further noted, “I’m not planning on doing a set with Black Sabbath but I am doing little bits and pieces with them. I am doing what I can, where I feel comfortable.”   

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