February 17, 2012 2:55 PM ET
In a major blow to Black Sabbath's
reunion plans, the band has announced it will now play just one
European show, at the U.K.'s Download Festival in June. Due to guitarist
Tony Iommi's ongoing treatment for lymphoma, the remaining European
shows will be billed as "Ozzy & Friends," featuring Sabbath's Geezer
Butler and longtime Ozzy collaborator Zakk Wylde, as well as select
special guests, including Slash. An official statement on the changes makes no mention of the band's reunion album with producer Rick Rubin, which presumably remains on track. However, this is the latest stumbling block for reunion plans that have been hampered by Iommi's illness and an ongoing spat with original drummer Bill Ward, who is currently out of the picture after demanding the band present him with a "signable" contract.
