Nuno Bettencourt Weighs in on Wolfgang Van Halen’s Exit
Nuno Bettencourt recently shared his thoughts on Wolfgang Van Halen’s decision to drop out of the Back to the Beginning Black Sabbath tribute event. Speaking on the Steve and Rik’s POTcast, Bettencourt made it clear that the move was not about scheduling, it was a smart career decision.
“I got a call [saying] Wolfgang Van Halen just dropped out [of the Black Sabbath’s ‘Back to the Beginning event].”
Avoiding Iconic Guitar Solos
According to Bettencourt, Van Halen chose not to perform because of the extreme difficulty and high pressure involved in playing legendary guitar parts originally performed by Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee.
He stated that attempting these solos on a major stage, in front of Ozzy Osbourne and a crowd full of industry peers, could potentially damage a guitarist’s reputation if not done perfectly.
“I said ‘yeah, he’s dropping out because he’s smart! Nobody wants to play those f*cking Randy Rhoads or Jake E. Lee solos!’” Bettencourt said.
“Nobody wants to f*cking do it because if you go down in flames on that stage with Ozzy there and all your peers watching, your career is over!” he continued.”
Bettencourt’s Own Preparation and Performance
Despite understanding the pressure, Bettencourt took on the challenge himself. He revealed that he played 12 songs at the event and dedicated weeks of intense practice to ensure he did justice to the material. Practicing four to five hours a day while standing and performing, Bettencourt committed fully to honoring the songs and the moment.
“I ended up playing 12 f*cking songs. … I just wanted to respect the songs [and] f*cking go all in… I was in here for weeks for f*cking like four or five hours a day standing up, performing the f*ckers,” he said.
The Back to the Beginning event, held on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, was more than a tribute since it became a farewell performance for the original Black Sabbath lineup. Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward shared the stage for the first time since 2005, making it an emotionally charged and historic event for fans and musicians alike.
A Setlist Honoring Sabbath’s Roots
Black Sabbath had a short but powerful setlist that paid homage to their 1970 albums Black Sabbath and Paranoid. Songs like “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid” thrilled fans before the band concluded the night with a dramatic fireworks display.
A Farewell That Resonates Across Generations
At the end of the day, there’s no dobut that Back to the Beginning was a moving finale for Black Sabbath and a celebration of their contributions to metal. The concert reminded the world of their legacy, uniting generations of fans and musicians in tribute to the pioneers who pretty much shaped the genre.
