Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G has spoken candidly about not being invited to perform at OZZY OSBOURNE's historic farewell concert, "Back To The Beginning," which took place on July 5, 2025 at Villa Park in Birmingham, UK.
In a new interview, the guitarist — who served as lead guitarist in Ozzy's solo band from 2009 to 2017 — said: "No, no. I wasn't asked. I realized that probably I wasn't really needed there."
The timing also coincided with a major personal milestone for Gus G, making the decision easier to accept: "I had my kid the day before the show in Birmingham. We were expecting my first baby."
Reflecting on his time with Ozzy, Gus G was nothing but grateful: "How incredible, how fantastic that all this even happened for me. It was really a highlight of my career — to play with one of the fathers of this music."
The guitarist, best known for his work with Greek power metal band FIREWIND, departed Ozzy's band in 2017 when Zakk Wylde rejoined as lead guitarist. Gus G described feeling "a little bit of a relief" at the time, as the future direction of the band had become unclear.
Ozzy Osbourne's "Back To The Beginning" show reunited the original BLACK SABBATH lineup — Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — for what was billed as a final performance together. The concert at Villa Park drew tens of thousands of fans to Birmingham for one of the most celebrated events in heavy metal history.