As the countdown begins with just two months remaining until Black Sabbath presents their final-ever live performance, founding bassist Geezer Butler has openly shared his overwhelming feelings of anxiety and apprehension leading up to this monumental event.

The highly anticipated final performance of Black Sabbath is set to unfold as part of the remarkable Back to the Beginning concert, taking place in Birmingham, England on July 5. This extraordinary event will feature the iconic band’s original lineup, including dynamic frontman Ozzy Osbourne, legendary guitarist Tony Iommi, esteemed bassist Geezer Butler, and the talented drummer Bill Ward. This will mark their first live performance together in two decades, alongside a host of renowned bands such as Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, and Alice in Chains, all contributing to a concert that promises to be unforgettable.

Although Ozzy Osbourne has not played a full set since December 31, 2018—just two months prior to his diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease—he has cautioned fans about his limitations for the forthcoming gig. Osbourne has clarified that he will not be “planning on doing a set with Black Sabbath,” but will instead focus on performing “little bits and pieces” with the ensemble. He expressed, “I am doing what I can, where I feel comfortable,” indicating a desire to participate while being mindful of his health.

In a candid interview with The Guardian prior to the highly anticipated July event, Geezer Butler shared that he feels uncertain about how the performance will unfold, especially considering Ozzy’s health situation and the immense expectations surrounding the show. These pressures have understandably left him feeling a significant amount of anxiety, which he openly admitted.

“I’m already having palpitations,” he confessed. “In fact, I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed everything went wrong on stage and we all turned to dust. It’s crucial that we leave a lasting impression, as this will be the final opportunity for fans to see us live. Therefore, it has to be an exceptional performance on that night.”

Furthermore, in the same interview, Ozzy Osbourne reiterated that Black Sabbath does not intend to perform a full-length set. “We’re only playing a couple of songs each,” he explained. “I don’t want people thinking, ‘We’re getting ripped off,’ because it’s just going to be … what’s the word? … a sample; you’re going to get a few songs each by Ozzy and Sabbath.”

Although Ozzy Osbourne has been undergoing extensive training in preparation for the upcoming show, it is clear that the end result will differ significantly from what fans might have anticipated. Nevertheless, he aims to give as much as he can manage, given his health challenges.

“I’m accustomed to performing for two hours on stage, jumping and running around,” he elaborated. “I don’t believe I’ll be doing much jumping or running around this time. I may be sitting down, but the important thing is that I’ll be there, and I’ll do my best. So all I can do is show up.”