While Black Sabbath’s farewell concert on July 5 in Birmingham was packed with rock royalty, one notable absence stood out: Soundgarden. Despite earlier hints from Sharon Osbourne, the iconic ’90s band was missing from the Back to the Beginning festival lineup. Now, the band has spoken out, offering both an explanation and a heartfelt tribute.
“Congratulations to Black Sabbath on the grand and final pealing of their vesper bells!” Soundgarden wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo with Ozzy Osbourne. The group cited scheduling conflicts as the reason they couldn’t attend, expressing deep regret for missing the opportunity. “We were super bummed,” they added. “We just couldn’t coordinate our individual and collective projects in time.”
Soundgarden went on to thank Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, and music director Tom Morello for the invitation, acknowledging the “warmth, love, and support” they’ve received from the Sabbath camp over the years.
Their absence didn’t stop them from celebrating Sabbath’s influence. “Your majestic brilliance has inspired greatness,” they wrote, referencing their own history of Sabbath covers, including a Grammy-nominated version of “Into the Void.”
Though they couldn’t be there in person, Soundgarden’s tribute was a powerful reminder: legends recognize legends—even from afar.
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Photo Credit: Brian Patterson Photos / Shutterstock.com