Rock titan Ozzy Osbourne has announced his retirement from touring and cancelled all his European and UK shows, with his body “still physically weak” after multiple operations.
In a statement announcing the decision, the 74-year-old said it was “probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans.” In particular, the Black Sabbath frontman’s health concerns relate to a fall he suffered in 2019 at his Los Angeles home. The injuries suffered from this incident had further worsened those he picked up from a near-fatal quad bike accident in 2003. Yet despite three operations, including major surgery last year to realign pins in his neck and back, stem cell treatments, continuous physical therapy sessions, and recently Cybernics (HAL) Treatment (which involves the use of a mechanical “exoskeleton” to help patients recover mobility), Osbourne says he’s “still physically weak” to tour any longer.
“I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time,” he wrote in a statement, “but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required.
“Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know.”
“Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way.”
Osbourne’s shows for his ‘No More Tours 2’ had already been rescheduled due to both the musician’s ill health and the pandemic, before dates were eventually set for this year.
In a statement announcing the decision, the 74-year-old said it was “probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans.” In particular, the Black Sabbath frontman’s health concerns relate to a fall he suffered in 2019 at his Los Angeles home. The injuries suffered from this incident had further worsened those he picked up from a near-fatal quad bike accident in 2003. Yet despite three operations, including major surgery last year to realign pins in his neck and back, stem cell treatments, continuous physical therapy sessions, and recently Cybernics (HAL) Treatment (which involves the use of a mechanical “exoskeleton” to help patients recover mobility), Osbourne says he’s “still physically weak” to tour any longer.
“I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time,” he wrote in a statement, “but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required.
“Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know.”
“Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way.”
Osbourne’s shows for his ‘No More Tours 2’ had already been rescheduled due to both the musician’s ill health and the pandemic, before dates were eventually set for this year.
In addition to neck and spinal problems, he has also suffered from Parkinson’s Disease since 2003, although he hadn’t let it be known publicly until 2020. Even in the face of such ailments, however, The Prince of Darkness has still remained fairly active in recent times. Last year, he performed at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in his hometown of Birmingham, before releasing his 13th studio album, Patient Number 9, in September.This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans… pic.twitter.com/aXGw3fjImo
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) February 1, 2023
