Judas Priest's Rob Halford ‘Absolutely Gutted' To Be Missing Final Black Sabbath Show: ‘I Had No Idea It Was Happening'
When you look at the bonkers hard rock roster for the upcoming final Black Sabbath show in Birmingham, U.K. on July 5 at Villa Park, there is definitely one name that is conspicuously absent: Judas Priest. The masters of British leather-and-motorcycle metal simply are nowhere to be found among the head-banging roster of greats lined lined up for the Back to the Beginning show that includes Guns N' Roses, Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Alice in Chains, Pantera, Lamb of God and many more.
Apparently, there is a very good explanation for their absence, according to singer Rob Halford: they're double-booked. Speaking to Metal Hammer, Halford explained that his band is slated to join the Scorpions in Hanover, Germany on that date for a 60th anniversary celebration of the German rock group.
More from Billboard
PinkPantheress Drops 'Fancy That': Stream It Now
'It's a Happy Time': Counting Crows Return With 'The Complete Sweets!'
It's No Secret: Gracie Abrams Hits Three Non-Consecutive Weeks at ARIA No. 1
'I had no idea it [the Sabbath show] was happening. It all got announced and was a big deal,' he said of the Scorpions and Priest concert taking place more than 630 miles away from fellow Brummie Ozzy's show. 'Suddenly I get this phone call [from Ozzy Osbourne's wife and manager Sharon Osbourne], 'Robbie, I know you've got this gig with Scorpions, but could you consider coming over to do a thing with Ozzy and the guys. He'd love to see you.''
But Halford said as much as he'd like to be on hand for the last run with Ozzy and the gang, trying to pull double-duty would be too difficult. He said Sharon Osbourne even offered to fly him back to Birmingham on the day of the show to make an appearance a la Phil Collins' legendary Concord flight from London to Philadelphia to play two sets at Live Aid in July 1985.
And though Collins' whirlwind flights, technically, got him to the U.S. before he left due to the timezones he crossed, Halford said as much as he'd like to double-down he thinks it might be 'dangerous… Even with a private plane, there's a word called 'technical', where something could go wrong, or the weather that time of year could cause problems… I was absolutely gutted [to miss the show],' he said.
The Sabbath swan song, which will also be Ozzy's final solo show, has the 76-year-old metal legend pushing himself to deliver a curtain call worthy of his nearly 60-year career. 'I do weights, bike riding, I've got a guy living at my house who's working with me. It's tough – I've been laid up for such a long time,' Osbourne said of his workout regimen to get pumped for his first full set since New Year's Eve in 2018 in the wake of a series of health issues and surgeries that have laid him low for several years and kept him off stages.
'I've been lying on my back doing nothing and the first thing to go is your strength. It's like starting all over again,' he said. 'I've got a vocal coach coming round four days a week to keep my voice going. I have problems walking. I also get blood pressure issues, from blood clots on my legs. I'm used to doing two hours on stage, jumping and running around. I don't think I'll be doing much jumping or running around this time. I may be sitting down.'
Though Halford will not be on hand, former longtime Priest guitarist K.K. Downing will perform at the show alongside members of Limp Bizkit, Smashing Pumpkins, Living Colour, Megadeth, Halestorm, Faith No More, Sleep Token, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megadeth, Ghost, Soundgarden and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler.
'All my mates are going to be there though, great bands and artists,' Halford told Metal Hammer, saying that Downing's appearance will represent the 'spirt' of Priest. 'It's a wonderful and epic moment for Sabbath and heavy metal — it re-emphasizes that Birmingham is where metal came from.'
Best of Billboard
Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1
Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits
H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Golden Gloves VR Review: Virtual Reality Boxing Gets Serious
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Golden Gloves VR puts you directly in the ring for a first-person boxing game that could only be more realistic if it gave you a black eye. The sports simulation, developed by Engine Room VR, aims for a 1:1 approximation of boxing. It's certainly got the credentials. As soon as you load up you're thrust onto a darkened weigh-in stage bearing promotional stands and banners for upcoming real-world fights, all as phone cameras flash from the roaring audience. From here you're free to partake in bouts both online and off, train on a selection of boxing equipment, or just mill about in the game's online spaces chatting to other players. According to Francis Jee, Head of Strategic Partnerships, authentic fundamentals underpin the entire experience. Your POV in Golden Gloves VR Your POV in Golden Gloves VR Engine Room VR Golden Gloves VR Review "The game ensures that the punch mechanics deal the most damage only when using proper punch techniques and when a blow is delivered with the correct part of the gloves, eliminating slaps, flailing and other types of poor form that would get you knocked out in a real fight." In the ring, timing, accuracy and technique are all necessary in doing the most damage possible. You'll know you've hit the sweet spot when you hear an unmistakable (if slightly unrealistic) thumping sound, accompanied by bruising and swelling of your opponent's increasingly battered face. To get there, Engine Room VR recruited amateur and professional boxers, including British heavyweight Johnny Fisher, to act as ambassadors and consultants. They provide gameplay feedback, recorded motion capture, and also coached the developers on proper punch form. That said, it is possible to cheese your way through some fights. Flailing your arms at the both head and body of AI opponents can confuse them, as they can't seem to block the two areas simultaneously. You can use that to your advantage and windmill your way to victory. Playing like this, though, runs against the spirit of Golden Gloves VR. It's as much a training regime as a game, so you'd only be hurting yourself. "Golden Gloves is a non-contact way to engage with the real sport of boxing," says Lee, "and a gateway to entry for joining a real boxing gym and growing the sport as a whole. Training done in the real gym transfers to our game." Not only can you compete in bouts online against human opponents, but put in the work across a suite of boxing practice equipment such as speed bags, aqua bags, reflex bags, heavy bags, and wall-mounted pads. Vibrations in your controller do a solid job of approximating contact in lieu of the real thing. After all, you're really just punching air. You can alter the physical properties of the equipment, making bags lighter to swing more or heavier to become virtually immovable, and monitor your punching power with a pop-up stats screen. There's also a calorie tracker, but since it seems to count the calories you burn while moving your character with the thumbstick, take that with a pinch of salt. Still, it's a more fully fledged offering than The Thrill of the Fight 2, which for now lacks gym workout equipment, as well as Golden Gloves VR's online spaces that let likeminded boxers mingle without a match on the line. Golden Gloves VR or The Thrill of the Fight 2? The Thrill of the Fight 2 excels in presentation. Character models are more detailed, environments are sharper, and the visual package just looks more professional. Golden Gloves VR looks basic by comparison. However, it's the more comprehensive package. The training gym in Golden Gloves VR The training gym in Golden Gloves VR Engine Room VR For Lee, it's all friendly competition. "It's worth noting that we have a lot of admiration for Thrill of the Fight's popularity and incredible graphics," he says. "The more people boxing in VR the better!" Golden Gloves VR also has licenses on its side. It's partnered with industry titans like Matchroom and Golden Gloves, and USA Boxing even recognises it as their official esports platform. June saw the launch of a real-world tournament where 14 Golden Gloves boxers from across the United States and 2 e-boxers from online qualifiers competed in VR for $5000 in prize money and the first eGolden Gloves belt. "It was inspiring and interesting to see virtual world gamification meet real world athleticism," Lee says. So, what's next for Golden Gloves VR? Various updates are coming, which have previously introduced new modes and minigames. There are also more esport tournaments, the next being the eUSA Boxing National competition in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA on Sept 13th - 20th alongside the USA Boxing National Open. Golden Gloves VR Review Score Golden Gloves VR is the definitive VR boxing game. With accurate controls, solid fundamentals, and built-in fitness trackers, it could feasibly boost your real-world boxing skills, and let you have fun while you're doing it. 9/10 How to Play Golden Gloves VR Golden Gloves VR can be played on any Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro headsets, as well as Valve Index. Where To Buy Golden Gloves VR You can buy Golden Gloves VR on the Meta store. The game is also available on Steam.
UPI
3 hours ago
- UPI
Ailing Rod Stewart cancels upcoming concerts
Rod Stewart arrives for the American Music Awards at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas on May 26. Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo June 7 (UPI) -- British rock 'n' roll icon Rod Stewart has canceled six of his upcoming concerts while he recovers from the flu. "So sorry my friends," the "Maggie May" and "Forever Young" singer, 80, wrote on Instagram Saturday. "I'm devastated and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to my fans. I'll be back on stage and will see you soon." Stewart was recently honored with a Lifetime Achievement honor at the American Music Awards show and is expected to perform in the "Legend" slot at the Glastonbury Music Festival later this month. Rod Stewart turns 80: a look back Musician Rod Stewart arrives for the premiere of "Titanic" in Los Angeles on December 14, 1997. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Elle
3 hours ago
- Elle
How Meghan Markle's Perspective on Royal Family Rift Is Different From Prince Harry's
Prince Harry has been open about the continuing rift between himself and other members of the British royal family, including his father, King Charles, and older brother, Prince William. Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, moved to California in 2020 and issues over visiting the U.K. have arisen in relation to security concerns. This week, a source tells People that the couple has different perspectives on how to move forward. 'They're aware of everything going on in England, but they're being left out of the details—there's clearly no trust,' said the insider, adding that Meghan is 'focused on the future,' and 'is very business about it.' She remains firmly supportive of her husband, however, despite his own tendency to dwell on the widening gulf. But the Duchess of Sussex 'wishes her husband could feel less burdened by the past and more present in the life they've built together.' Charles has been receiving regular cancer treatments and is allegedly struggling with the idea of reconciliation. 'It's been difficult for him to even get proper updates about his dad,' the source explained. Harry has been requesting for years to have automatic police protection applied to his entire family so they can visit the country again, a privilege applied to working members of the royal family. They lost their appeal on the matter in April of this year. Charles and William's hesitation towards reconciliation is supposedly about 'trust' and the belief that heir interactions with the Sussexes may not remain private. The couple has shared intimate details of their lives in their popular Netflix docuseries Harry & Meghan and in Harry's memoir Spare, as well as a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. In a 2023 interview with The Daily Telegraph, Harry admitted he actually removed anecdotes from Spare after considering how it might divide him from his father and brother. 'The first draft was different,' he said. 'It was 800 pages, and now it's down to 400 pages. It could have been two books, put it that way. And the hard bit was taking things out.' And there were some things he didn't 'want the world to know.' 'I don't think they would ever forgive me,' Harry added. 'This is not about trying to collapse the monarchy, this is about trying to save them from themselves.'
