Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale didn’t respond to Sharon Osbourne’s email inviting the band to perform at Black Sabbath’s last-ever concert for two days – because she didn’t know if it was “real”.
The 41-year-old singer is the only woman who has been invited to perform at the star-studded ‘Back to the Beginning’ event, which will feature Black Sabbath’s original line-up, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, as well as performances from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, and Lamb Of God among others.
Speaking to Audacy Music, Lzzy said: “Dude, so we got this e-mail from [Ozzy’s wife and manager] Sharon Osbourne. And I didn’t answer it for two days. ’cause I’m, like, ‘Is this real?’ It’s wild.
“I’ve been a Black Sabbath fan since I was 11. The first riff I ever learned a guitar was ‘Heaven And Hell’ by Black Sabbath.
“To be the only woman asked to be there is an honour as well.”
Several of Lzzy’s fellow female singers, including The Pretty Reckless’ Taylor Momsen and Evanescence frontwoman Amy Lee, have told her how “proud” they are ahead of her performance at ‘Back to the Beginning’, which will take place at Villa Park in Birmingham on July 5th.
She added: “I was talking to my friends, Taylor Momsen and Amy Lee and [In This Moment’s] Maria Brink and all of my sisters in this genre, and they’re all so proud of me.
“And I said, ‘Hey, girls, I’m carrying you with me. You’re gonna be there in spirit. I’m gonna make you girls so proud.’
“And so it’s this beautiful event that everyone gets to look forward to. I’m so glad they’re doing it.”
Rage Against The Machine rocker Tom Morello is the musical director of the spectacle, and he has told Lzzy it is “in the works” for her and Disturbed’s David Draiman to perform Ozzy and Lita Ford song ‘Close My Eyes Forever’ at the event.
Lzzy and David previously recorded the cover together as a duet.
She said: “So, according to Tom Morello, that is in the works, but he said, ‘You’re gonna have to be patient with the confirmation for that.’
“Because of Ozzy’s health and everything, we’re gonna have to see pretty much on the day how much Ozzy’s going to be singing and willing to do.
But Halestorm is doing a set. We’re also doing a Black Sabbath cover.
“And I’ve been asked to sing in the supergroup with Tom Morello and everybody there.”