Ozzy Osbourne sheds doubts on farewell gig: “If my God wants me to do the show, I’ll do it”
Ageing rockstar Ozzy Osbourne has cast doubts over the upcoming Black Sabbath farewell show, after sharing worrying health updates in a new interview.
During a recent episode of Ozzy Speaks on SiriusXM, the ‘Crazy Train’ singer spoke about the numerous health conditions he lives with, including Parkinson’s disease. “I haven’t done any physical work for the last seven, six and a half, seven years,” he admitted.
Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Tony Iommi will perform together as a four-piece for the first time in 20 years at the show, with support from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Alice In Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax and Mastodon, and more. The list keeps growing.
Speaking of the tiring regime he is following to be able to perform, Osbourne revealed, “I’ve got this trainer guy who helps people get back to normal. It’s hard going, but he’s convinced that he can pull it off for me. I’m giving it everything I’ve got.”
He added, “I’m just taking it one day at a time and when I do it one day at a time,” and promised fans “by hook or by crook, I’m gonna make it.” He added finally: “All I can say is I’m giving 120%. If my God wants me to do the show, I’ll do it.”
Speaking previously of his decision to finally say farewell to performing, he noted: “It’s time for me to spend some time with my grandkids, I don’t want to die in a hotel room somewhere. I want to spend the rest of my life with my family.”
Osbourne isn’t the only one uncertain of his abilities. Tool singer Maynard James Keenan expressed concerns about the big show, stating that, given Osbourne’s health, it may have to take “modern miracles” to pull it off. “This is gonna be a challenge for them,” he conceded.
All profits from the Black Sabbath reunion will be shared equally between the following charities close to their hearts: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice, a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa.
In addition to performing with Black Sabbath, Osbourne is also scheduled to perform a short solo set at the all-day event. The sold-out show will take place in Birmingham’s Villa Park on July 5th.
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