Legendary rock drummer Tommy Aldridge has addressed a question that’s puzzled heavy metal fans since Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell show last summer: Why wasn’t he there? In a candid video message, Aldridge revealed he wasn’t invited to perform at — or even attend — the iconic Back to the Beginning concert in July 2025.
The concert itself was a historic benefit event staged at Villa Park in Birmingham, England on July 5, 2025 — near Ozzy’s hometown — and served as the final live performance for both Ozzy as a solo artist and Black Sabbath. It brought together Osbourne’s original bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, alongside a star-studded lineup of supporting acts and friends from the rock and metal world.
Aldridge, 75, is one of rock’s most respected drummers, with a career spanning decades and credits with bands including Whitesnake, Ted Nugent, Thin Lizzy and Yngwie Malmsteen — plus two important stints with Ozzy in the early 1980s. During those years he played on Speak of the Devil (1982) and the classic Bark at the Moon (1983), and forged a long-lasting friendship with guitarist Randy Rhoads before Rhoads’ tragic death.
In the clip he posted on his official YouTube channel — later referenced in interviews and online coverage — Aldridge addressed his absence from the show directly: “I wasn’t invited to be at Ozzy’s last show… that’s as much as I need to say. I wasn’t invited. And I’m not gonna crash someone else’s party.” He added that there was no ill will and emphasized his deep respect for Ozzy and his legacy.
Aldridge stressed that his relationship with Ozzy was meaningful and long-standing, predating some of the singer’s greatest fame. He recalled meeting Ozzy years before either of them were major stars — including when his own band Black Oak Arkansas supported Black Sabbath early in their careers — and spoke warmly of the time they spent together.
While some fans have speculated about why Aldridge wasn’t included on the farewell bill — especially given how influential his early work with Ozzy was — the drummer himself has been careful not to stir controversy. He acknowledged the way the “music business” works, with decisions about guest performers often dictated by logistics, schedules and the whims of producers and organizers rather than personal feelings.
Indeed, with a show as large and star-packed as Back to the Beginning — which featured acts from Metallica, Alice in Chains, Guns N’ Roses and more — not everyone who ever had a connection to Ozzy could be included. Even longtime collaborators like Megadeth did not get asked to play, and other bands had to cancel due to conflicting tours or health issues.
Aldridge’s remarks came shortly after Ozzy Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025, less than three weeks after the concert — an event his wife Sharon Osbourne has since described as something he insisted on doing despite serious health warnings. Sharon shared that doctors told Ozzy he “could probably die” if he went through with the performance, but he was determined to perform it on his own terms.
In his message, Aldridge said he wouldn’t “shade anyone” over the situation and that his admiration for Ozzy remains strong. “I pay my highest regards and respects to Ozzy Osbourne on any opportunity I get to do that,” he said, underscoring that his absence wasn’t because of animosity, but simply the way the final event came together.
For many metal fans, Aldridge’s comments bring a fresh perspective on the final chapter of Ozzy’s life and career — showing that even iconic figures can have complex behind-the-scenes decisions that leave some storied contributors on the outside looking in.
