BLACK Sabbath legend Geezer Butler is to return to the stage in an all-star A-list band expected to include former Free and Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers and Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum.

It is the first gig by the Brummie bassist to be announced since the death of lifelong friend and Sabbath bandmate Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on July 22, just weeks after Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning final farewell show at Birmingham’s Villa Park.

The new gig will take place on Monday March 2, 2026 at the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, California, under the banner of the Sound & Vision Awards hosted by charity Adopt The Arts.

Billed as an evening honouring the music of Butler and Rodgers, with Sorum assembling an A-list band of special guests, it renews the Sabbath star’s acquaintance with the G N’ R drummer.

They played together in the short-lived, but critically acclaimed, Deadland Ritual, alongside Billy Idol guitar wizard Steve Stevens and Apocalyptica frontman Franky Perez.

“Happy to be able to support this great charity,” Butler has posted about the newly announced gig on social media. “I’m sure it’ll be a great night out for @adoptthearts.

News of Butler’s return comes after Sabbath guitar icon Tony Iommi made a surprise appearance on the first night of Black Sabbath – The Ballet at the band’s hometown Birmingham Hippodrome last month.

Read more: Tony Iommi makes surprise return to the stage

Organisers of the Awards say: “Adopt the Arts will host the Sound & Vision Awards at the historic Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, honouring rock legends Paul Rodgers and Geezer Butler.

“The evening will feature ATA Founder Matt Sorum as Musical Director, leading an all-star band of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees in tribute to the honorees’ greatest classics.

“Jane Lynch will host, with special guests and performers, who will be joining the three rock legends onstage, to be announced.”

Lynch, who is a multiple Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner, has appeared in a host of big TV shows and movies, and has most recently been a regular in Steve Martin’s Only Murders In The Building.

Adopt the Arts was co-founded by Sorum and Lynch in response to major budget cuts to the arts education budget in Los Angeles Unified School District elementary schools.  To learn more about the charity and its aims, head to the official website.

Lead image courtesy of my good friend and former colleague Darren Quinton at Touchstone Visuals.