Fueled by the energy of his hometown crowd, Geezer Butler, founding bassist of Black Sabbath, joined the Foo Fighters onstage for a surprise performance. The epic collaboration happened on June 27th at Birmingham’s Villa Park Stadium, during the Foo Fighters’ “Everything or Nothing at All” tour.
The highlight of the night was definitely the Foo Fighters and the legendary bassist laying down a powerful rendition of Black Sabbath’s iconic anthem, “Paranoid”. This unexpected team-up sent shockwaves through the rock world, leaving fans wanting more.
But for Geezer Butler, this special performance may have also stirred up some lingering feelings about his time with Black Sabbath, especially after he and Ozzy Osbourne felt some regret about not having Bill Ward in their final album lineup.
Dave Grohl Was Geezer Butler’s Hype Man
Foo Fighters frontman and rock’s quintessential nice guy Dave Grohl hyped up the crowd for a special guest during a recent concert. “He’s never seen a concert here. He’s never played a concert here,” Grohl announced, building anticipation.
“So we thought, something special for us and hopefully it’s special for him too, we’d invite him out to come play a song with us. Ladies and gentlemen, Geezer Butler from Black Sabbath,” to which the crowd roared in excitement.
Grohl, wanting to ensure everyone recognized the legendary bassist, reiterated the introduction and then turned to the band’s guitarist Chris Shiflett, “How about it, Chris?” sparking the band’s preparation to welcome this iconic guest onstage.
Dave Grohl’s Deep Respect for Black Sabbath
Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl is a longtime admirer of Black Sabbath. Back in 2005, he expressed his reverence for the band in an interview with Total Guitar magazine. “I love Black Sabbath,” Grohl declared. “They made an amazing contribution to music today. Almost every band that made it big in the 1990s owes a debt to them.”
This admiration translates into action. Following their recent on-stage collaboration with Geezer Butler, the Foo Fighters continue their European tour with a headlining performance at Hellfest in France.
The band itself boasts a long and successful career. Formed in the mid-90s by Nirvana alumni Dave Grohl and Pat Smear, the Foo Fighters have released 11 critically acclaimed albums. Their latest release, “But Here We Are”, arrived in June 2023 and marked their first project following the tragic passing of both drummer Taylor Hawkins and Grohl’s mother.
Black Sabbath Reunion Overshadowed by Bill Ward’s Absence
Black Sabbath’s final farewell tour, culminating in 2017, should have been a triumphant celebration. However, a recent revelation by Butler casts a shadow on this supposed closure. Both Butler and vocalist Ozzy have expressed a surprising and fresh wave of regret – the absence of drummer Bill Ward.
Ward, a founding member who shaped Black Sabbath’s sound with his driving, yet nuanced drumming, sat out the reunion due to a contract dispute. While concerns about his physical stamina were acknowledged by Butler and Osbourne, their recent statements highlight a deeper emotional void.
Butler, in a new interview, revealed a shared yearning for Ward’s presence on the final album and tour. He acknowledged Ward’s pride and desire to participate fully, hinting at a breakdown in communication or a missed opportunity for compromise.