Black Sabbath have announced European dates for their 2016 farewell world tour.
The 6-week run – which starts in Budapest, Hungary on June 1 – sees a mix of headline and festival appearances, including Belguim’s Graspop, Norway’s Tons Of Rock, and Monsters Of Rock shows in Finland and Sweden.
Billed as “The End”, three-quarters of the original lineup – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler – will launch the group’s final live dates in North America on January 20.
The group will play a series of shows in Australia and New Zealand in April in advance of the European concerts.
Guitarist Tony Iommi recently revealed that his cancer issues have brought about the need for the farewell run after five decades on the road.
“I can’t actually do this anymore,” said Iommi. “My body won’t take it much more.”
The 67-year old – who was diagnosed with blood cancer lymphoma in January of 2012 – continues to have regular checkups on the health issue.
“I have finished my courses of treatment,” he says. “Now it’s a case of keeping tabs on things. “I have the blood tests every six weeks, and then there’s a bigger check-up every now and then to make sure that all is still well. I have my next one in a couple of weeks, and hopefully everything will be fine.
“It’s horrible. I even dream about it. But that’s my life now. The surgeon told me he doesn’t expect the cancer to go away. There’s a 30 per cent chance that it could, but more than likely it will come back and it could be any time. I could be here another 10 years or just one year – I don’t know.”
Black Sabbath
2016 European tour
06/01 – Budapest, HU - Groupama Arena
06/08 – Berlin, DE - Waldbühne
06/13 – Verona, IT - Arena di Verona
06/15 – Zurich, CH - Hallenstadion
06/17 – Dessel, BE - Graspop Metal Meeting
06/23 – Halden, NO - Tons of Rock
06/25 – Copenhag, DK - Copenhell
06/28 – Vienna, AT - Stadthalle
06/30 – Prague, CZ - 02 Arena
07/02 – Krakow, PL - Tauron Arena
07/05 – Riga, LV - Arena Riga
07/07 – Helsinki, FI - Monsters of Rock
07/09 – Stockholm, SE - Monsters of Rock
07/12 – Moscow, RU - Olympisky Arena
See also:
Black Sabbath guitarist says cancer brings need for farewell tour
Black Sabbath announce farewell tour
Ozzy Osbourne working on new album
Black Sabbath guitarist attends cancer event in Birmingham
Search Black Sabbath at hennemusic
