Music of the Day, 4 July 2025

farewell to one of the best

How many of you would like to be in Birmingham, England over this weekend to celebrate one of the most influential rock bands as they play their final show? When I first heard the announcement for it, even though I knew it was impossible for me to get there, I was slightly tempted.¹ What metal fan wouldn’t be?

In my case, the temptation arose mostly from regret at never seeing Black Sabbath or Ozzy in their younger days. Knowing that tomorrow’s show can’t recapture that time and knowing how little of the process of getting there and being there I’d enjoy, it was easy to let that temptation slide. But as the date has approached, I’ve been thinking about how much Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward have contributed to rock and heavy metal, and knew I couldn’t let the date pass unacknowledged.

“Wicked World” struck me as the ideal song for the moment. I adore how it starts as a more straightforward rock song and then launches into what I think of as almost a second intro, with that signature heavy Sabbath sound.

This studio version was recorded in 2017. Compared to the 1970 version I have on the band’s debut studio album, I like Ozzy’s lower and richer voice here. That and the obvious pleasure Iommi and Osbourne have in performing together gave it the nod over other videos. It is a shame Bill Ward wasn’t on drums for this recording.

Thanks for all the music and madness, gents. If you’d like to share your favorite album, song, and/or concert memory of Black Sabbath (from any iteration of the band), please do; and thank you.

1. and also a bit cynical, although this time really does feel like it has to be the final farewell show.