Ozzy Osbourne’s Role in Spotting Tony Iommi’s Cancer

What’s the role of Ozzy Osbourne in spotting Tony Iommi‘s Cancer? According to Black Sabbath bass guitarist Geezer Butler, frontman Ozzy Osbourne was responsible for Tony Iommi finding he had cancer in 2012.

What’s the Ozzy Osbourne Role in Tony Iommi’s Cancer?

Ozzy Osbourne talked to Apple Music’s Zane Lowe and added:

“There was a period of time where we were arch-enemies” Ozzy admits. “But then, since I’ve been laid up with this surgery I’ve had, he’s been so supportive of me; he texts me all the time. We text each other. And we just ended the Commonwealth Games together. It’s really nice to be friendly with someone – he used to intimidate the shit out of me.”

When questioned by Lowe as to whether his poor relationship with Iommi was “the root of distrust” that influenced his eventual firing from Black Sabbath, Osbourne replies: “I just felt like they were the musicians, and I was the singer, and I didn’t have that much to say what went down, you know? The only thing I did was try to put a melody on there. I couldn’t do it, because it was just too out of my range, you know?”

When we heard about this incident, the band was working on their final album, 13, after announcing intentions for a last album and tour in 2011. In his latest biography Into the Void (which was featured in Rolling Stone magazine).

Geezer Butler told how the project devolved into a “soap opera” featuring drummer Bill Ward‘s departure from Black Sabbath. Butler wrote this in his book:

“As writing was in process at Ozzy’s house, he made the observation that Tony had lost too much weight and that he should get checked out. When Tony got back to England, he was diagnosed with a form of lymphoma. If I’d been diagnosed with cancer, I’d have canceled everything and stayed at home for the rest of my life. But Tony’s not like that.

When I [Geezer Butler] and Ozzy [Osbourne] flew to England to resume writing, Tony would have chemotherapy in the morning and come straight home to his studio, where we’d put some ideas together.”

He added Tony Iommi’s lost fingers: 

“While the guitarist was in no state to tour, the band arranged a one-off show headlining the 2012 edition of the Download Festival [United Kingdom], which Geezer Butler said had proved “there was plenty of life in the old dogs yet.”

Geezer Butler also added what he thinks about Black Sabbath’s last years: 

“I was upset that what should have been a triumphant return for the original lineup had turned into a bit of a soap opera – and ended up making it worse. While Bill was churning out public statements, Sharon was giving me her side of the story, including that Bill had refused to play a charity gig at Birmingham’s O2 Academy.

Stupidly, I then put out a statement on the internet, including a line about Bill wanting money for said charity gig. I regret doing that because I’d ended up doing the band’s dirty work. Worse, I’d betrayed Bill’s friendship by not believing his side of the story, which was that he’d actually agreed to do the charity gig for free.”

Black Sabbath returned in 2011 with their original lineup, which included Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler, after a lengthy sabbatical. Fans all over the world were delighted when the band announced plans to release a new studio album. As rumors of Rick Rubin producing the record spread throughout the music world, the excitement escalated immensely.

Finally, in June 2013, Black Sabbath released “13,” their first studio album in 35 years with Ozzy Osbourne. The album achieved both critical and commercial acclaim, reaching the top of the charts in a number of countries. “13” showed the band’s distinctive gloomy style, with strong compositions like “God Is Dead?” and “End of the Beginning,” proving they still had what it took to fascinate listeners worldwide.

In 2016, Black Sabbath announced their farewell tour, aptly titled “The End Tour.” This sad voyage allowed fans to see the band’s final live performances and say goodbye to the heavy metal pioneers. The tour crossed numerous continents, gathering large crowds eager to witness the raw intensity and iconic music that defined Black Sabbath one last time.

On February 4, 2017, the band’s final gig took place in their hometown of Birmingham, UK, marking the end of an era for both Black Sabbath and its faithful fans. The event was a memorable celebration of the band’s storied career, paying tribute to their groundbreaking music and the impact they had on the whole heavy metal genre.

You can watch and listen to the Ozzy Osbourne – Degradation Rules (Official Visualizer) ft. Tony Iommi video is below!