Renowned musician Wolfgang Van Halen was initially set to perform at the highly anticipated Back to the Beginning concert featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath. However, during a recent interview with Detroit’s Meltdown on 101 WRIF, he disclosed that he has had to withdraw from the event due to scheduling conflicts.

The frontman of Mammoth explained, “Regrettably, I had to step back because the Creed tour kicks off the day after, and I [wouldn’t] be able to manage it — unfortunately. I’m very excited to witness the concert, but I regrettably had to back out.” His commitment to his own tour highlights the challenges artists face in balancing multiple engagements.

Despite this scheduling conflict, Wolfgang had the privilege of participating in Ozzy Osbourne’s Rock Hall induction. In a conversation on the Loudwire Nights radio show earlier this year, he mentioned, “My family history is deeply intertwined with legends like Ozzy. My dad was incredibly close to Tony Iommi, arguably closer than any other guitarist. Being present for the Hall of Fame induction was an incredible honor, as well as this experience. It’s truly surreal.”

He added, “There are some legends in music who are irreplaceable and so original — they sparked a movement,” while also reflecting on his father’s iconic taste in music, revealing that his dad’s favorite guitar riff is from Black Sabbath’s “Into the Void.” This connection to rock history emphasizes the significance of family legacies in the music industry.

During his discussion with Meltdown, Wolfgang was prompted to identify his favorite Ozzy guitarist. Given the wealth of talent, this was no simple task, and he candidly admitted that choosing just one was challenging.

“I’m quite poor at making selections because that implies a dislike for others in comparison. I think Randy Rhoads was phenomenal, but we can’t overlook the impact of Tony Iommi as a legendary figure and a groundbreaking creator in the genre — and still is. I appreciate them all, which may not be the answer people are looking for,” he explained, highlighting the multifaceted nature of musical influence.

Wolfgang Van Halen’s Insights During WRIF’s Meltdown Interview

Exciting Developments for Mammoth and the Back to the Beginning Concert

While Wolfgang is unable to attend the Back to the Beginning concert, the event promises an abundance of star power and excitement.

Set to be the must-see music event of 2025, Back to the Beginning will bring together the original lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for a memorable performance in their hometown of Birmingham, England, at the renowned Villa Park on July 5.

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Throughout the day, a stellar lineup of musicians will honor the metal pioneers and the iconic Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne. The lineup includes legendary acts such as Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice in Chains, Lamb of God, Anthrax, Mastodon, and Rival Sons, leading up to the highly anticipated performance.

Additionally, fans can look forward to performances from notable artists including Tom Morello, Billy Corgan, David Draiman, Duff McKagan, Fred Durst, Lzzy Hale, Jake E. Lee, Jonathan Davis, K.K. Downing, Mike Bordin, Papa V Perpetua, Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Slash, Sleep Token II, Steven Tyler, Soundgarden, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith, Vernon Reid, Whitfield Crane, and David Ellefson. The event will be hosted by actor Jason Momoa, adding to the excitement.

For fans who can’t attend in person, a pay-per-view global livestream of the Back to the Beginning concert will be available. The raw livestream is scheduled to start at 3 PM BST on July 5, and those who purchase access will have exclusive viewing rights to the concert for an additional 48 hours, ensuring they don’t miss this historic moment.

Tickets for the livestream are currently on sale through the official Back to the Beginning website, providing fans a chance to experience this monumental concert from the comfort of their own homes.

Meanwhile, Mammoth will be back on tour next month, as Wolfgang confirmed. The band will be supporting Creed during their summer series of shows. Dates are scheduled through August 30, with details regarding cities, dates, and ticketing available on the official Mammoth website.