Ozzy Osbourne & Friends Hit The Road In Europe

Despite all the drama, most of the original line-up of Black Sabbath reunited last week for a homecoming performance in Birmingham, England. However, due to guitarist Tony Iommi's ongoing battle with lymphoma, much of the band's other plans have been put on hold, with only two more shows left: at the UK Download Festival in June, and Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago in August.

In the meantime, Ozzy Osbourne wants to rock, so he and his band are hitting the road in Europe and taking on the schedule that would have been Sabbath's. Billed as Ozzy Osbourne & Friends, these shows will feature several 'special guests' that, according to Blabbermouth, will include Sabbath band mate Geezer Butler, longtime Ozzy partner in crime, Zakk Wylde and old friend Slash. Other guests will pop up here and there on different dates.

The first date of the tour, Wednesday, May 23 in Finland, featured both Geezer and Zakk with a set list that included fan favorites from the Ozzy solo years as well as a few choice Sabbath numbers. The tour, which wraps up in early July, will take the band from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Spain, France...you name it! Though plans are still in place for Sabbath to record a new album, the time table will depend on Iommi's health.

Ozzy & Friends Opening Night Setlist (courtesy of Soundi.fi):

Bark At The Moon
Mr. Crowley
Suicide Solution
The Ultimate Sin
I Don't Know
Killer Of Giants
Shot In The Dark
Rat Salad
Iron Man
War Pigs
N.I.B.
Fairies Wear Boots
Into The Void
I Don't Wanna Change The World
Crazy Train
encore:
Mama I'm Coming Home
Paranoid