On February 23, drummer Tommy Aldridge shared why he didn’t perform at Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning concert in July 2025. The 75-year-old musician revealed that he wasn’t invited. “I wasn’t invited to be at Ozzy’s last show,” Aldridge said. “That’s all I need to say. I wasn’t invited, and I’m not going to crash someone else’s party.”
Aldridge joined Black Sabbath in 1981 and played on Ozzy’s third solo album, Bark at the Moon, released in 1983. He also appeared on Speak of the Devil and Tribute before leaving the band. Despite not being part of the concert, Aldridge emphasized his respect for Ozzy. “I have so much admiration and love for Ozzy. I spent a lot of time with him, and there was no disrespect intended on my part,” he explained.
Reflecting on his early days with Ozzy, Aldridge mentioned the influence of guitarist Randy Rhoads. “What motivated me to start with Ozzy was being able to go on stage with Randy every night and experience his guitar playing,” he said. Rhoads tragically passed away in a plane crash in 1982, and Aldridge described that time as both inspiring and heartbreaking. “Working with Randy was indescribably inspirational and devastatingly depressing at the same time,” he added.
Aldridge has played with many famous artists, including Gary Moore, Whitesnake, and Motörhead. He joined Whitesnake in 1987 and recorded six albums with them before they retired in November 2025. He is also part of the supergroup Iconic, alongside Michael Sweet and others, with a second album set for summer 2026. At 75, Aldridge shows no signs of slowing down.
