Tommy Aldridge explains absence from Back To The Beginning

DECORATED drummer Tommy Aldridge has taken the unusual step of issuing a statement about why he DIDN’T do something.

The ‘thing’ in question is Back To The Beginning, the Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne farewell concert in Birmingham which came two weeks before the iconic singer’s death.

Speaking on his own Youtube channel, 75-year-old Aldridge said: “Is there a reason I didn’t participate in Ozzy’s last performance? Uh, well, I don’t want to cast aspersions. I don’t want to shade anyone.

“I wasn’t invited to be at Ozzy’s last show. That’s as much as I need to say.

“You know, I wasn’t invited and I’m not going to crash someone else’s party.  I will say: but that has no reflection on Ozzy. You know, I have so much admiration and love for Ozzy.

“Ozzy was, you know, someone I spent a lot of time with and it was by no means any disrespect intended on my part. Certainly not.

“The powers that be….

“(I) pay my highest regards and respects to Ozzy Osbourne on any opportunity any opportunity I get to do that, you know?”

Discussing why he joined the band in 1981 for Osbourne’s Bark At The Moon album and subsequent live albums Speak Of The Devil and Tribute, Aldridge said: “What motivated me to start with Ozzy was a gentleman by the name of Randy Rhoads andbeing able to go on stage with that gentleman every night and being in close proximity to his guitar playing.