Ozzy Osbourne hints at his last performance as health challenges mount

Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath stated that he might "take a seat" for his last performance due to persistent health problems.

The "Back To The Beginning" event on July 5th will feature the 76-year-old vocalist performing a brief solo set followed by a reunion with his former bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. This marks their first collective performance in two decades.

"I'll be present and will put in my best effort. Therefore, all I can do is show up," he stated to The Guardian.

In 2020, Osbourne announced his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, and he halted touring in 2023 following significant spinal surgery.

"You awaken the following morning only to discover that yet another issue has arisen. He shared with the newspaper that he started believing this situation would never be resolved," he said.

He mentioned that the reunion concert was envisioned by his spouse, Sharon, with the idea of "having something to look forward to every day."

"I lift weights and ride bikes. I have someone living in my house who helps me train. It's challenging because I've been unable to exercise for quite a while," he explained.

I've been lying around inactive, and the very first thing to weaken is your muscles. It feels like beginning from scratch.

I have a vocal instructor who comes over four times a week to maintain my singing ability.

I experience difficulties with walking and sometimes encounter blood pressure problems due to blood clots in my legs.

I'm accustomed to performing for two hours on stage, leaping and moving about.

I don't believe I'll be doing a lot of leaping or frolicking this time. I might just stay seated.

He stated, "We're performing just a handful of songs apiece. I wouldn't want anyone feeling 'they're not giving us their all,' since it will merely serve as a preview, where you'll receive a selection of tunes from both Ozzy and Sabbath."

Sammy Hagar, the ex-Van Halen vocalist, disclosed to the rock radio program Loudwire Nights that he learned Ozzy will attempt to perform "five songs," which includes "No More Tears."

In 2019, Osbourne experienced a tumble at his house that worsened injuries stemming from a severe ATV accident back in 2003.

In January 2020, when discussing his Parkinson’s diagnosis with the American program Good Morning America, he stated, "All I want is to recover quickly so I can hit the road again; that's really eating away at me."

The full-day concert at Villa Park in Birmingham, the city where the trailblazers of hard rock came together in 1968, will include performances by numerous prominent metal acts such as Metallica, Slayer, and Alice In Chains.

In 2017, the band performed what they advertised as their final show featuring Ozzy on vocals, Iommi on guitar, and Butler on bass—though Ward did not participate as the drummer.

The tale of Black Sabbath started when Osbourne, Iommi, Butler, and Ward sought to break free from the monotony of factory jobs.

The self-titled first album released in 1970 reached the UK top 10 and set the stage for numerous successful releases.

They proceeded to establish themselves as one of the most impactful and successful metal bands ever, with over 75 million album sales globally.

The band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, and Osbourne joined again as an individual last year.

Previously, in 2022, he marked his hometown with a performance at the closing of the Commonwealth Games.

He gained even more prominence along with his spouse Sharon—whom he wed in 1982 and shares three offspring with, named Aimee, Jack, and Kelly—thanks to their hit reality show, The Osbournes.