Titans on the bill includes Steven Tyler, Soundgarden, Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Mastodon, Tool as well as members of Limp Bizkit, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megadeth, Van Halen, Ghost, and Faith No More. However, Judas Priest will be playing no part.

Although both Sabbath and Judas Priest being Birmingham natives who have a close relationship, the latter had already been booked to perform with Scorpions in Germany on the same date. Therefore, for logistical reasons, it’s impossible for them to also play at Villa Park.

However, Sharon Osbourne still tried her best to book the band. Halford told Metal Hammer in a new interview: “It all got announced and was a big deal — Scorpions and Priest — and suddenly I get this phone call [from Sharon Osbourne]: ‘Robbie, I know you’ve got this gig with Scorpions, but could you consider coming over to do a thing with Ozzy and the guys, he’d love to see you.”

Despite the tempting offer of a private jet, Halford still believed there were too many variables which could have caused problems. Therefore, with a heavy heart, he rejected Osbourne’s proposal.

Halford explained: “Even with a private plane, there’s a word called ‘technical’, where something could go wrong, or the weather that time of year could cause problems… I was absolutely gutted.”

While Judas Priest won’t be in Birmingham, a sold-out crowd awaits Osbourne on July 5th for his final goodbye before retirement. Speaking to The Guardian recently, Osbourne explained what the show will entail: “We’re only playing a couple of songs each. I don’t want people thinking, ‘We’re getting ripped off,’ because it’s just going to be … what’s the word? … a sample, you’re going to get a few songs each by Ozzy and Sabbath.”

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