Ozzy Osbourne has announced he is no longer “physically able” to perform scheduled shows in Europe and the UK, telling fans he “never imagined” his touring days would “end this way”.
The 74-year-old former Black Sabbath frontman has undergone extensive spinal surgery and other treatments over the past four years after a fall at home in 2019 aggravated injuries sustained in a near-fatal quad bike accident in 2003.
In 2020, he revealed that he suffers from Parkinson’s disease.
Osborne has made a few announcements about canceling and rescheduling concerts in recent years, but now says he can’t handle the travel associated with a major tour.
Writing on Instagram, she said: “This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans.
“As you all probably know, four years ago this month I had a major accident where I destroyed my spine. My one and only goal during that time was to get back on stage.”
Osbourne photographed in 1984. Photo: Scott Weiner/ MediaPunch /IPX
Osbourne told his five million followers that his singing voice is “good” but his body is “still physically weak” despite three operations, stem cell treatments, physical therapy sessions and recent “groundbreaking” Cybernics treatment (HAL) – using a wearable robot suit.
“I am truly humbled by the way you all have patiently held onto your tickets all this time, but in all conscience I realize that I am not physically able to do my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I could not cope with the required travel,” he said.
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According to the tour dates on his website, Osbourne was set to kick off a run of shows in Helsinki, Finland, on May 3, with the tour also taking in gigs in Nottingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin and London, before finishing at home of. Birmingham city on June 14.
Despite his health problems, Osbourne has appeared at a number of shows in recent years – including at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and at halftime during an NFL game in California in 2021.
While touring can be grueling, with many shows in short periods of time and a lot of travel, Osbourne has given fans hope that the live shows won’t be a total waste.
“I never would have imagined that my touring days would have ended like this,” he said. “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.”
Osbourne also thanked Judas Priest’s fans, crew, family and “long-time friends” for their “endless dedication, faith and support”.
Speaking to Kerrang magazine after revealing his Parkinson’s diagnosis, Osbourne said: ‘Do I ever think about when my time will come?
“I think about it — I’m not worried about it. I’m not going to be here in another 15 years or whatever, not much longer, but I’m not dwelling on it. It’s going to happen to all of us.”