Wolfgang Van Halen Says He Had to Back Out of Playing Black Sabbath’s Final Show

Back to the Beginning, the event celebrating Black Sabbath, will take place next month. The massive metal event will see the band’s original lineup perform together for the last time. Additionally, Ozzy Osbourne will take the stage for the final time during the Birmingham, England show. It will also feature a lineup of some of the biggest names in metal, including Metallica, Tool, Slayer, and many more. Unfortunately, though, Wolfgang Van Halen will no longer perform alongside the long list of legends.

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According to Blabbermouth, Van Halen recently revealed that he pulled out of Back to the Beginning during a radio interview. The Mammoth frontman also revealed that prior touring obligations stopped him from performing during the event.

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Wolfgang Van Halen on Pulling Out of Back to the Beginning

Wolfgang Van Halen recently spoke to the Detroit, Michigan-based radio station WRIF about the upcoming event. “I, unfortunately, had to back out because the Creed tour starts the day after,” he explained. “I wouldn’t be able to pull it off–unfortunately. I’m very excited to watch it, but I unfortunately had to back out,” he added.

Van Halen had previously expressed his excitement to play during Back to the Beginning. He also talked about how important Black Sabbath was to his later father, stating that he was close with Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi.

“My dad was very much a–he kind of focused on his stuff, but any time my dad gave cred to something else, that meant it was legit. He always told me one of his favorite guitar riffs was ‘Into the Void’ by Black Sabbath. And there’s nothing better, man. It’s just the best.”

Creed’s Return of the Summer of ’99 North American Tour kicks off on July 9 in Lexington, Kentucky. The 30-stop trek will keep them on the road until late August. They’ll wrap things up on August 30 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. The tour will feature support from Daughtry, Sevendust, Big Wreck, and Mammoth.

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