American rock icon Wolfgang Van Halen has been forced to pull out of a performance at Black Sabbath’s farewell show due to a scheduling conflict.
The multi-instrumentalist had been included as a part of the original line-up for Sabbath’s ‘Back to the Beginning’ concert.
Playing in Villa Park, Birmingham on July 5, the event reunites the original Black Sabbath line-up of Ozzy Osbourne, Tommy Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for their final performance together.
Joining the Brum-based band at the sold-out event are Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Mastodon and Rival Sons.
Additional performances will include fellow rock legends Tom Morello, Fred Durst, Steven Tyler and Soundgarden.
However, one music giant who won’t be joining Sabbath is 34-year-old Wolfgang Van Halen, who has had to back out due to a scheduling conflict with another major rock tour.
In an interview with Detroit’s Meltdown on 101 WRIF, Wolfgang explained what had happened.
‘I, unfortunately, had to back out because the Creed tour starts the day after, and 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 said.
Instead, Wolfgang and his band – American rockers Mammoth – will support Creed from July 9 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Wolfgang was then asked which of the band’s guitarists was his favourite.
He replied: ‘I’m really bad at picking, ’cause that almost implies you don’t like another one in comparison.
‘And I feel like Randy [Rhoads] was amazing, but you can’t not give cred to [Black Sabbath’s] Tony [Iommi] being the legend and groundbreaking genre creator he was — and is. So I love ’em all. That’s not the answer you wanna hear.’
Wolfgang is himself the son of one of the greatest rock stars and guitarists of all time – Eddie Van Halen, who died from cancer in October 2020.
Born in 1991 to Eddie and Food Network star Valerie Bertinelli, Wolfgang went on to follow his father’s footsteps, performing as Van Halen’s bassist between 2007 and 2020.
He also performed with the heavy metal band Tremonti from 2012 to 2016, and founded his own group – Mammoth – in 2015.
Asked if his dad had taught him any ‘tricks,’ Wolfgang replied: ‘He would be the one to tell you he was a really bad teacher. I think just being around it and being in the environment, I’m just more interested in it. By osmosis, so to speak.’
Wolfgang may not be able to make his performance at Black Sabbath’s farewell show, but the Paranoid hitmakers will have plenty of support from their peers in the rock world.
Hosted by Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa, the show will feature performances from a supergroup of musicians, including Guns N’ Roses, Tool, and Rival Sons.
Those hoping to catch a glimpse of history can also tune in via a global livestream, beginning at 3pm BST on July 5.
Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy announced the gig on February 5, saying: ‘It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning… time for me to give back to the place where I was born.
‘How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.’
This will likely mark the Prince of Darkness’s final performance, following his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020.
Speaking on Radio X Classic Rock, wife Sharon said: ‘It’s very emotional but very happy. It’s time for Ozzy to say goodnight to everybody, and what better way to do it than to do it surrounded by your friends, your family, and back to the beginning – the place where he was born – in Aston.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.