Just one week ago, the original Black Sabbath lineup of Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward joined together onstage for one last hurrah. Battling Parkinson’s disease for the last two decades, fans gave Ozzy a proper send-off. Multiple iconic bands also paid tribute to Black Sabbath, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Slayer. However, one band was noticeably absent. Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx recently revealed why he and his bandmates did not make the journey to Aston Villa Park in Birmingham, England.
“Health Issues” Prevented Motley Crue From Sending Off Black Sabbath
At the height of their fame in 1984, Motley Crue and Black Sabbath joined forces for the Shout at the Devil Tour. As the heavy metal pioneers took their final bow, Crue bassist Nikki Sixx reminisced on Instagram.
“Ozzy and Sharon gave us our first real big tour in 1984 on the Shout at the Devil tour,” he wrote. “They gave us the opportunity to play in front of Ozzy and actually in my opinion, broke the band. Congratulations on an amazing career and what a bad-ass send off.”
With those heartfelt words, many were left wondering why the three-time Grammy Award winners didn’t take the stage at Villa Park. “Motley Crue wasn’t invited to perform at Black Sabbath’s farewell? Would you have liked to have been there?” one X/Twitter user asked.
“We have been having health issues within the band,” Sixx replied.
We have been having health issues within the band… https://t.co/zBSyF37pMz
— 📷 (@NikkiSixx) July 11, 2025
Vince Neil Is Having Health Issues
Although Nikki Sixx offered no further details, Motley Crue postponed their Las Vegas residency in March 2025 to allow frontman Vince Neil time to recover from an undisclosed medical procedure.
[RELATED: Mötley Crüe and Vince Neil “Sincerely Apologize” for Canceling Festival Appearance]
Two months later, the band also cancelled its headlining slot at Boardwalk Rock festival for the same reason.
“Vince’s health comes first, and we fully support him in prioritizing his recovery,” the band said in a statement. “Please join us in wishing him well.”
Featured image by Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images