Ozzy Osbourne is tempering expectations ahead of his final live show this summer. The musician is set to perform with a reunited Black Sabbath at Back to the Beginning, an all-star, one-night-only charity gig in Birmingham, England, on July 5.
However, Osbourne confirmed that he is not in the physical shape to do the entire set. Speaking on his SiriusXM show, the singer said, “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 recently shared that his Parkinson’s disease has progressed so much that he can no longer walk. He told listeners this week, “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.”
Back to the Beginning will see Black Sabbath perform together for the first time since 2005. The event will also feature appearances from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, and more, with Tom Morello serving as musical director.
In recent years, as Osbourne battled Parkinson’s disease and underwent several spinal surgeries, the singer remained optimistic about giving fans one final performance. Osbourne was due to return to the stage in 2023 at the Power Trip festival, but that appearance was canceled due to medical issues.
Following the announcement of the show, Osbourne’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, said, “He’s very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. It’s not something you can stabilize. It affects different parts of the body, and it’s affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it’s ever been.”
Proceeds from Back to the Beginning will benefit Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and the Birmingham-based Acorns Children’s Hospice. The gig will take place at Osbourne’s Villa Park, the home stadium of his beloved Aston Villa soccer team.
