Black Sabbath announces final tour, 'The End,' with creepy video

[Fansome]

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-black-sabbath-announces-final-tour-the-end-with-creepy-video-20150903-story.html

Black Sabbath announces final tour, 'The End,' with creepy video
By Randall Roberts contact the reporter

The seminal heavy metal band Black Sabbath has announced its final tour, fittingly titled "The End." Embarking on one last go after decades together, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler will set the group's own gravestone with a series of concerts in North America, New Zealand and Australia.

Black Sabbath: The End Tour Announcement

It's the Beginning of THE END.

This isn't earth-shattering news; Osbourne teased this tour in the spring, though he was light on details. The video clip adds info (and appropriately spooky drama):

It started nearly five decades ago with a crack of thunder, a distant bell ringing and then that monstrous riff that shook the earth. The heaviest rock sound ever heard.

In that moment Heavy Metal was born, created by a young band from Birmingham, England barely out of their teens.

Now it ENDS, the final tour by the greatest Metal Band of all time, BLACK SABBATH. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler close the final chapter in the final volume of the incredible BLACK SABBATH story.

BLACK SABBATH’s farewell tour, THE END, begins on January 20, 2016 and it promises to surpass all previous tours with their most mesmerizing production ever.

When this tour concludes, it will truly be THE END,

THE END of one of most legendary bands in Rock ’n Roll history...

BLACK SABBATH

Notable among those not listed as attending is Bill Ward, Sabbath's longtime drummer. One of the most influential metal pounders ever, Ward's absence in recent years has remained a major frustration among diehards hoping for one last shot at seeing the original quartet before it climbs into the coffin.

Those worried that their city or country isn't included can breathe easily. Sabbath has promised that "The End" will include more dates to be announced in October. Angelenos looking for early if vaguely twisted Valentine's Day plans? The band will play the Forum on Feb. 11. 

1/20, Omaha, NE
1/22, Chicago, IL
1/25, Minneapolis, MN
1/28, Saskatoon, SK
1/30, Edmonton, AB
2/1, Calgary, ON
2/3, Vancouver, BC
2/6, Tacoma, WA
2/9, San Jose, CA
2/11, Los Angeles, CA
2/13, Las Vegas, NV
2/15, Denver, CO
2/17, Kansas City, MO
2/19, Detroit, MI
2/21, Hamilton, ON
2/23, Montreal, QB
2/25, New York City, NY

Australia/New Zealand Tour Dates
4/15, Perth
4/17, Adelaide
4/19, Melbourne
4/23, Sydney
4/25, Brisbane
4/28, Auckland
4/30, Dunedin

[ff]

Notable among those not listed as attending is Bill Ward, Sabbath's longtime drummer. One of the most influential metal pounders ever, Ward's absence in recent years has remained a major frustration among diehards hoping for one last shot at seeing the original quartet before it climbs into the coffin.

From what I've heard, Bill Ward has had some major health issues over the last 10 years or so.  Alcoholism took him out of the band back in the 80s, and his self abuse has come back to haunt him now that he's pushing 70.  I doubt he'll ever be healthy enough to tour again.  So I guess you've got your chance, Mr. Fansome.  Better polish up on your paradiddles...

[Fansome]

Not a lot of people know about this, but I had a bit part in one of their videos. Look for me in the background:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ

From what I've heard, Bill Ward has had some major health issues over the last 10 years or so.  Alcoholism took him out of the band back in the 80s, and his self abuse has come back to haunt him now that he's pushing 70.  I doubt he'll ever be healthy enough to tour again.  So I guess you've got your chance, Mr. Fansome.  Better polish up on your paradiddles...

[Zoidberg]

SHAAA-RRRONNN!  THE DOGS CRAPPED ON THE STAGE AGAIN!!!   

[ff]

Not a lot of people know about this, but I had a bit part in one of their videos. Look for me in the background:

Al, you're too modest.  It WAS a small part yes, but I was incredulous as I watched you walk up that brick wall and backflip off!  You DA Man!  BTW- Ozzy never sounded OR looked better than in that video - definitely produced at his peak.  Good stuff!

[Skipmuck]

I consider myself fortunate to have seen them in the early days, at the age of 16, although admittedly the concert was somewhat of a blur. It was the summer of 1971 and Master of Reality had just been released. My older brother already had bought the first 2 albums and when he bought the 3rd, I remember thinking that Sweet Leaf and Solitude were the best songs on the album. At the time, Paranoid had received lots of airplay on the local FM stations. So when tickets went on sale, my brother and I along with a mutual friend took the Peter Pan bus to Bushnell Memorial Auditorium in Hartford, CT on a hot August night and after partaking in some "refreshments" in the park, headed into the venue only to find our seats were about as far away from the stage as you could get. It didn't matter because the decibel level was huge! The acoustics at the Bushnell were not all that conducive to such a thing and it was an assault on the ears. I don't remember a whole lot of what was played other than Paranoid, War Pigs, and Fairies Wear Boots, and after the concert my ears were ringing really bad. But we had a fun time walking home down the newly opened I-291 from the Peter Pan bus terminal in Springfield, MA in the early hours of the next morning. I do recall wearing flared jeans and one of those canvas hippie belts with the metal rings that night. Never did that again.....