Black Sabbath’s Final Show Almost Featured Metallica and Foo Fighters
The heavy metal world was stunned this week as insiders revealed that two legendary bands—Metallica and Foo Fighters—were originally slated to join Black Sabbath at their emotional 2017 farewell concert in Birmingham. Scheduling conflicts prevented the collaborations, leaving fans to wonder what could have been.
Why Metallica Couldn’t Join the Farewell
Metallica, frequently named by Ozzy Osbourne as a dream collaborator, was deep into their WorldWired Tour during Sabbath’s final show on February 4, 2017. A source close to Metallica confirmed:
“There were serious talks, but Asian tour dates made it impossible. The band hated missing it—Sabbath shaped everything we do.”
Foo Fighters’ Last-Minute Conflict
Dave Grohl’s Foo Fighters were also in discussions but couldn’t commit due to Concrete and Gold album deadlines. An insider shared:
“Dave joked about a private jet sprint, but logistically, it was a no-go.” Grohl had previously collaborated with Ozzy, making the near-miss even more bittersweet.
Who Performed Instead?
With the two rock giants unavailable, Black Sabbath relied on stalwarts:
– Adam Wakeman (Tony Iommi’s touring partner)
– Rick Wakeman (Yes keyboardist)
The setlist, featuring “Paranoid” and “War Pigs,” stayed true to Sabbath’s roots—though fans still debate whether Metallica or Foo Fighters would’ve elevated the night.
Fan Reactions: Debate Over the “What-Ifs”
Social media erupted over the revelations:
– “Imagine ‘Master of Puppets’ into ‘Iron Man’—mind-blowing!”
– “Respect the purity of Sabbath’s solo goodbye.”
Black Sabbath’s Unshakable Legacy
Despite missed guest spots, the farewell show remains iconic. As Ozzy prepares new solo work (Patient Number 9), fans hold onto hope for future surprises.
For now, the question lingers: What if?
