Zak Starkey Recalls Turning Down Offer to Drum for Black Sabbath

In the wake of Ozzy Osbourne‘s passing, Zak Starkey has shared the regret he feels for once turning down an offer to sit behind the kit for Black Sabbath.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday (July 23), Starkey shared a message from his personal archives which saw Osbourne’s wife and manager, Sharon, contacting him about a potential gig as drummer for Black Sabbath’s festival and recording commitments.

“Black Sabbath is headlining Download on June 10 and then Lollapalooza in August,” Sharon said in reference to the band’s 2012 plans. “The guys need a drummer for their album, which will be recorded in September with Rick Rubin producing. 

“We would probably need you for 2-3 weeks for the album. Also, they need a drummer to play at Lollapalooza which is on August 3 in Chicago,” she added. “Also, Ozzy wants to have sex with you while he is singing ‘Iron Man.’”

“Regrets I’ve had a few – this is one,” Starkey wrote in the caption to his post, before adding, “Not the sex part!”

“One of the greatest, natural, brilliant singers of all time,” he added. “I send much love and strength to his family at this sad sad time. If u aren’t familiar with the Never Say Die record – get into it – it’s so far out.”

At the time of Sharon’s initial request, Starkey was employed as the drummer for The Who, though had been forced to take some away from his touring commitments with a group due to a “tendon problem.” Starkey’s 29-year tenure with The Who would ultimately end this year following his firing from the band.

Starkey didn’t specify as to whether his tendon issues were why he would ultimately decline the request, though Tommy Clufetos would be recruited to sit in for Black Sabbath’s live appearances, while Rage Against the Machine‘s Brad Wilk would perform on the group’s final album, 13, which was eventually released in June 2013.

Osbourne passed away on Tuesday (July 22) at the age of 76, just 17 days after making his final appearance as part of the Back to the Beginning concert, which also featured Black Sabbath’s first live show in eight years.