Ozzy Osbourne retires from touring, cancels shows amid health woes
‘Nothing Feels Right’ – so Ozzy Osbourne retires from touring.
The Black Sabbath frontman announced in a social media statement on Wednesday that a spinal injury four years ago and subsequent operations left him unable to travel.
“I never imagined my touring days would end this way,” he wrote in his emotional announcement.
“I’m honestly touched by how you’ve all patiently held on to your tickets this whole time, but in good conscience,” the British rocker continued, “I’ve now realized that I’m not physically able to make my upcoming European/UK tour dates as I know I couldn’t cope with the travel required.”
A spinal injury and subsequent surgeries rendered him “physically unable” to travel on the tour. Humus/BACKGRID
While Osbourne, 74, acknowledged his “singing voice was fine”, his physical health took a toll as he has also been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2019.
The “Iron Man” rocker revealed in his statement that he underwent three surgeries, stem cell treatments, physical therapy and Hybrid Assistive Limb treatment.
“My team is currently coming up with ideas of where I can play without having to travel from city to city and country to country,” added the 74-year-old rocker. Getty Images “My team is currently figuring out where I can perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country,” the 74-year-old rocker added. Sportswire icon via Getty Images
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“My team is currently coming up with ideas of where I can play without having to travel from city to city and country to country,” added the 74-year-old rocker. Getty Images “My team is currently figuring out where I can perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country,” the 74-year-old rocker added. PA Images via Getty Images
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“My team is currently coming up with ideas of where I can play without having to travel from city to city and country to country,” he added.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer underwent what his wife, Sharon Osbourne, described as a “life-changing” operation last year that removed and realigned pins in her neck and back.
He also battled Parkinson’s disease.BACKGRID
“It will really determine the rest of his life,” she said on British TV show ‘The Talk’ ahead of the operation.
Osbourne’s decision to step away from the stage would have been extremely difficult, as he admitted last year that acting on stage is “where I belong”.
“The relationship I have with my audience is the greatest love story of my life,” he added at the time.