by Sammy Hagar recently opened up about a performance mishap at Ozzy Osbourne’s tribute concert, Back to the Beginning. He shared why he felt compelled to apologize to the late rock legend’s team, Loudwire reported.
The Red Rocker reflected on his performance at the tribute event. He expressed regret about not being fully prepared when he took the stage. When asked about his performance at Back to the Beginning, Hagar explained the circumstances that led to his on-stage struggle.
“I just wish I would have been better, you know? I was so wrapped up in everything backstage,” Hagar said. “By the time it’s time to go on, I’m backstage talking to somebody and I hear the guy yell, ‘Yeah, the Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar,’ and I’m going, ‘Holy Shit.’ I ran out, unprepared.”
The veteran rocker admitted that his lack of preparation led to forgetting lyrics during the first verse. This prompted him to apologize backstage afterward.
“In my head, I should have been singing the lyrics over because I didn’t want to use the teleprompter. And sure enough, I choked the first verse and spit it out,” he continued. “Ozzy’s people, when I came back, I just apologize to Ozzy’s people. They’re going, ‘Oh, you know, don’t worry. You did what Ozzy probably would have done.’ They tried to make me feel good that Ozzy never remembered his lyrics either.”
Hagar’s performance was part of a historic evening that brought together some of rock’s biggest names to honor the Prince of Darkness.
Ozzy.com detailed that the Back to the Beginning concert was held on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK. The event marked both Ozzy Osbourne’s final solo performance and the last show of Black Sabbath. The event served as a farewell celebration of Ozzy’s legendary career and Black Sabbath’s monumental impact on heavy metal music.
The star-studded tribute featured an impressive lineup of artists paying respect to the metal icon. American Songwriter confirmed that Metallica, Alice in Chains, Yungblud, and Mastodon were among the notable performers at the event. Hagar performed “Flying High Again,” one of Ozzy’s classic solo tracks, during his appearance at the tribute.
The concert also featured special collaborations. The Independent noted that Gojira’s Joe Duplantier and Iggor Cavalera joined Mastodon on stage for a Black Sabbath cover. The diverse lineup showcased the wide-ranging influence Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath have had across multiple generations of rock and metal artists.
The tribute concert came after Ozzy Osbourne had faced significant health challenges in recent years. These challenges influenced the decision to hold this farewell event. The Birmingham venue held special significance as the hometown of Black Sabbath. This made it a fitting location for this final celebration of Ozzy’s extraordinary career and lasting legacy in rock music.
