Former Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne has revealed that he may never perform live again, following an extended period of ill health and many medical procedures.
This follows the news in September that the metal icon had undergone more surgery on his spine, following a fall in 2019, which affected the injuries incurred during his 2003 quad bike accident. However, at the time, Osbourne suggested that he hoped to get back to playing live as soon as possible but was “too proud” to do it “half-arsed”.
Now, in a new interview with Rolling Stone, Osbourne has said that although he hopes to one day return to performing, he might have to “accept the fact” that it might not happen.
“I’m taking it one day at a time, and if I can perform again, I will,” he said. “But it’s been like saying farewell to the best relationship of my life. At the start of my illness, when I stopped touring, I was really pissed off with myself, the doctors, and the world. But as time has gone on, I’ve just gone, ‘Well, maybe I’ve just got to accept that fact.’
The metal musician continued: “I’m not going to get up there and do a half-hearted Ozzy looking for sympathy. What’s the fucking point in that? I’m not going up there in a fucking wheelchair. I’ve seen Phil Collins perform recently, and he’s got virtually the same problems as me. He gets up there in a wheelchair! But I couldn’t do that.”
Osbourne clarified that one of his great regrets is that he never got to say goodbye or thank you to his fans. He explained: “They’ve been loyal to me for fucking years. They write to me, they know all about my dogs. It’s my extended family really, and they give us the lifestyle we have. For whatever reason, that’s my goal to work to. To do those shows. If it’s at Ozzfest or somewhere, or even a fucking gig at the Roundhouse!”
The ‘Prince of Darkness’ concluded: “If I can’t continue doing shows on a regular basis, I just want to be well enough to do one show where I can say, ‘Hi guys, thanks so much for my life.’ That’s what I’m working towards, and if I drop down dead at the end of it, I’ll die a happy man.”
Osbourne’s latest comments echo those of his son Jack, who, earlier in November, cast doubt on his father ever touring again. “I don’t think he’ll tour again,” he said. “But he’s gunning to do one-off shows — like festivals, gigs, things like that. He’s not done yet!”
