DISTURBED's DAVID DRAIMAN Booed by Some Fans at BLACK SABBATH's Final Show; VIDEO

Summary

• Disturbed’s David Draiman received boos and cheers during his set at the Back to the Beginning farewell concert for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne.
• Draiman wore a Star of David necklace and addressed crowd backlash tied to his outspoken support for Israel and the IDF.
• The show also drew controversy for airing a Marilyn Manson tribute video, amid ongoing backlash surrounding past allegations.

Disturbed’s frontman David Draiman stepped onto the stage at Back to the Beginning, the all-star farewell concert for Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, and was met with a crowd that didn’t quite know how to respond (watch below).

Some clapped. Others booed. A few raised middle fingers.

The event, held on Saturday, July 5, featured a lineup of rotating supergroups paying tribute to the heavy metal legends. Draiman took part in one of the early jam sessions, performing Ozzy’s Shot in the Dark and Sabbath’s Sweet Leaf. The reaction to his presence wasn’t exactly warm.

Onstage, Draiman wore a Star of David necklace and seemed to address the reaction head-on.

“We gonna start this?” he asked the crowd, referring to the source of tension surrounding his recent public and political statements.

A polarizing figure

Draiman has become a divisive figure among music fans, mainly due to his outspoken support for Israel in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, which reignited in 2023.

Critics point to his social media posts and, more controversially, his 2024 visit with the Israel Defense Forces, where he was photographed signing an artillery shell with a profanity-laced message aimed at Hamas.

After the image went viral, Draiman clarified his position in later posts, saying he is “pro peace and coexistence between ALL PEOPLE.” But public opinion remains split.

Some festivalgoers made their thoughts known at the Sabbath tribute show. A chorus of boos rose as he walked out, with some in the audience clearly uncomfortable with his inclusion. That didn’t stop many others from raising their fists, clapping along, or singing the lyrics to Shot in the Dark.

In a post-show interview with The Jerusalem Post, Draiman downplayed the response, saying the media had “exaggerated the boos.” He described the experience as emotional and meaningful, especially watching Ozzy perform Mama, I’m Coming Home for the last time.

Social media reacts

Reactions on social media mirrored what happened in person, completely split down the middle.

Supporters posted messages of encouragement:

• “You’re awesome. Haters can hate, you are and will always be a legend ❤️”
• “So sorry for the boos! You deserve a standing ovation!!”

Others were far less kind:

• “So happy you got booed ❤️”
• “Did you learn anything from the chorus of boos you received?”

Some users aimed their anger not at Draiman, but at the people criticizing him:

• “Meanwhile he got to be a part of something you couldn’t even dream of doing because you’re a poor lonely loser living in your mom’s basement.”

A crowded stage

The supergroup Draiman joined was one of several assembled for the show, curated by Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine.

Backing Draiman were some familiar names: Jake E. Lee (Ozzy’s former guitarist), Mike Bordin (Faith No More), Adam Wakeman (Ozzy’s keyboardist), Scott Ian (Anthrax), Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme), and David Ellefson (former Megadeth bassist).

The group kicked off their set with The Ultimate Sin, fronted by Lzzy Hale, who was one of the only women on the day’s bill. The crowd gave Hale a more positive reception.

Not the only controversy

Draiman wasn’t the only name stirring up discussion.

A pre-recorded tribute video from Marilyn Manson was played during the event, drawing more backlash online. Manson has been trying to restart his career despite facing more than a dozen allegations of sexual misconduct. His planned U.K. tour for the fall has already sparked protests and even led to a canceled date in October.

The choice to include both Draiman and Manson, figures tied to very different controversies, added a layer of discomfort to what was meant to be a celebration.

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Despite the drama, Draiman took to social media after the show with a more reflective tone. In a post on X and later on Instagram, he called the experience “surreal” and thanked Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne for their influence.

“So many that I learned so much from over the years,” he wrote. “It brought tears to my eyes to watch Ozzy sing ‘Mama I’m Comin’ Home’ one last time.”

For fans, the night was a mix of nostalgia, excitement, and awkward moments. For Draiman, it was a chance to pay tribute, even if not everyone appreciated the gesture.

Check out the video 👇

So surreal yesterday at #BackToTheBeginning

So many that I learned so much from over the years, so much talent, such a legacy that @BlackSabbath and @OzzyOsbourne have!

It brought tears to my eyes to watch Ozzy sing “Mama I’m comin home” one last time 🙏🏻🤘🏻#ThankYou

— David Draiman 🟦🎗️🇺🇸🇮🇱✡️☮️ (@davidmdraiman) July 6, 2025

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