Iommi: Black Sabbath farewell concert film is emotional to watch

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has said a new film documenting the band's final concert is emotional and difficult for him to watch.

The legendary heavy metal group's Back To The Beginning gig, held at Villa Park in Birmingham last July, has been made into a film due for release next month. It was the last time the band performed together — frontman Ozzy Osbourne died two weeks after the show, aged 76.

The 78-year-old Iommi said he had now watched the footage twice. "I find it difficult to watch it, to be honest, because obviously of our relationship with each other. But I'm sure people will like it," he said.

Honour at Windsor

On Wednesday, Iommi, nicknamed the Godfather of Heavy Metal, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to music and charity, receiving the honour from the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle. He said Ozzy "would have been pleased," adding that although he has received many awards over the years, this one felt especially special since it came from his own country, England.

Osbourne died of a reported heart attack while suffering from several health conditions, including Parkinson's disease. Iommi described the period since his death as "up and down," saying he has simply tried to keep busy.

Band origins

Born in Birmingham in 1948, Iommi nearly abandoned a music career after an industrial accident cost him the tips of two fingers on his right hand. He later met drummer Bill Ward, and in 1968 the pair formed a blues rock band in Birmingham, recruiting bassist Terence "Geezer" Butler and singer Ozzy Osbourne. The group later renamed itself Black Sabbath and went on to sell millions of records over the following decade with tracks including "Paranoid" and "War Pigs."