Black Sabbath Reunion Plans Reworked

Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath appear at a press conference at Whiskey A Go-Go in West Hollywood.

Chelsea Lauren/WireImage

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.