Ozzy Osbourne has revealed his performance plans for the upcoming “final” Black Sabbath performance later this year – see what he had to say below.
- READ MORE: Sharon Osbourne and Tony Iommi tell us about Black Sabbath’s finale: “Usually this thing is done when you’re dead”
Earlier this month (February 5), the legendary metal band announced their final-ever live show, which will take place in Birmingham on July 5. The band have also announced star-studded opening acts and special guests, which include the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Lamb Of God, Mastodon, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, recent Grammy-winners Gojira and more.
While Ozzy Osbourne’s performance with Black Sabbath has been confirmed, the extent of his involvement – given his ailing health – has been in question. Now, however, the legendary frontman and Prince of Darkness has opened up on just how much fans can expect him to be onstage with Black Sabbath come July.
Per Louder Sound, Osbourne said of the upcoming sold-out gig on the latest episode of his Ozzy Speaks show on SiriusXM: “I’m not planning on doing a set with Black Sabbath but I am doing little bits and pieces with them. I am doing what I can, where I feel comfortable.”
Osbourne, who last performed a full set in 2018, added: “I am trying to get back on my feet. When you get up in the morning, you just jump out of bed. I have to balance myself, but I’m not dead. I’m still actively doing things.”
The update comes after Ozzy has revealed that he now “can’t walk” as a result of Parkinson’s disease. However, his wife and manager Sharon has assured fans that his illness “doesn’t affect his voice”. “Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. It’s not something you can stabilise. It affects different parts of the body and it’s affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it’s ever been,” she explained.
Speaking to NME alongside Iommi at Villa Park last week, Sharon explained that her husband Ozzy was currently doing “really great” and feeling “very emotional” about the final Sabbath show. “It’s what he wants,” she said. “He wants to say thank you to everybody. He didn’t have that chance because of his illness, but now he does have the chance.”
Sharon told NME that ‘Back To The Beginning’ would be “just about celebrating the old music that still lives on”, rather than Black Sabbath releasing any new music. “You get to a stage in your career where whatever you do just doesn’t stand up to what you did before,” she explained. “To be able to rest on your laurels and say, ‘People still love that and it’s still selling and we can’t do better than what we’ve done’, that’s enough.”
Sharon also described the one-off date as “a celebration – of the genre and the pioneers who started it and passed it on to all these bands”. She said: “Usually this thing is done when you’re dead – so it’s nice that these guys can be alive to be appreciated!”
Tickets for the concert went on sale on Friday (February 14), with many fans left frustrated trying to secure tickets. Some people also criticised the high ticket prices – despite all profits being split equally across Cure Parkinson’s, the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Others though were delighted that they managed to get their hands on tickets for the show.
Meanwhile, Sabbath members Iommi and Butler have both shared statements about the upcoming reunion on social media. Bob Daisley – the classic era Ozzy bassist – has talked about not being invited to perform at the band’s last show.
