Black Sabbath are to headline Hyde Park in London on 4 July, as part of the British Summer Time festival. The veteran metal band reached No 1 in both the UK and US album charts last year with 13, their first album with original singer Ozzy Osbourne since 1978, and played sold out arena shows in Britain before Christmas. Now they are to play one of the capital's signature summer shows.
"The first time I came to London I didn't have a pot to piss in and I spent the advance I got for the first album on a new pair of shoes and some Brut aftershave," Osbourne said. "Returning almost 50 years on, we are doing a it better for ourselves so I may even splash out on some new aftershave before taking to the stage at Hyde Park, the most beautiful park in London that has opened its gates to so many legends in the past. We are beyond honoured to be allowed to put on a show and hope the Royals will enjoy it."
However, Sabbath's path to the Hyde Park megashow has not been smooth. In 2012, guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with early stage lymphoma. Then original drummer Bill Ward was excluded from their return after a contractual dispute, though Osbourne later said Ward was too unfit to have rejoined. Then, last spring, Osbourne checked into rehab after relapsing in his usage of drugs and alcohol.
Sabbath will be supported at Hyde Park by Soundgarden and Faith No More, two bands on whom they had a profound influence.
