Ozzy Osbourne Pledges to ‘Do the Best I Can,' But Says He Won't Be ‘Jumping or Running Around' at Final Black Sabbath Show
Speaking to the Guardian, Osbourne said, 'I'll be there, and I'll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up.' The July 5 show at Villa Park is slated to feature a massive roster of metal acts paying tribute to Osbourne and the band's iconic career, including Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Alice in Chains, Pantera, Gojira, Lamb of God, Mastodon and many more.
More from Billboard
Ozzy Osbourne Says He's Doing 'Endurance Training' To Get in Shape For Final Black Sabbath Show
Lorde Lands First ARIA Top 10 Since 2017 With 'What Was That'
Maroon 5 Teams Up With BLACKPINK's LISA for New Single 'PRICELESS'
But after Tool singer Maynard James Keenan recently said that Osbourne — who hasn't performed a full set since Dec. 31, 2018 — will need 'modern miracles' to get on stage given his health issues, Ozzy said he is, indeed dealing with a lot. 'You wake up the next morning and find that something else has gone wrong. You begin to think this is never going to end,' he said of a series of health setbacks including a 2019 fall that aggravated a previous spinal injury and required several surgeries, as well as pneumonia and the diagnosis of a form of Parkinson's.
Regardless, Osbourne has said he's begun rigorous training to play the first show by the original Black Sabbath lineup in 20 years, where he'll appear alongside guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward. 'I do weights, bike riding, I've got a guy living at my house who's working with me. It's tough – I've been laid up for such a long time,' Osbourne said of his regimen. 'I've been lying on my back doing nothing and the first thing to go is your strength. It's like starting all over again. I've got a vocal coach coming round four days a week to keep my voice going. I have problems walking. I also get blood pressure issues, from blood clots on my legs. I'm used to doing two hours on stage, jumping and running around. I don't think I'll be doing much jumping or running around this time. I may be sitting down.'
Osbourne noted that the reunion concert was originally conceived by his wife/manager, Sharon Osbourne, as 'something to give me a reason to get up in the morning.' That said, Ozzy confirmed that he won't be performing a full set, but 'only playing a couple songs each. I don't want people thinking 'we're getting ripped off', because it's just going to be… what's the word? … a sample, you're going to get a few songs each by Ozzy and Sabbath.'
Among the newly added acts who will be playing a few songs alongside Guns N' Roses and members of Judas Priest, Limp Bizkit, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megadeth, Ghost and more, according to Sharon Osbourne, are members of Soundgarden and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler.
Musical director Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine told the Guardian that there are also 'some pretty great surprises that are not posted anywhere [yet].'
The show will raise funds for three charities: Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital and the Birmingham-based Acorns Children's Hospice.
Best of Billboard
Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1
Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits
H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
Metallica's In The Middle Of A Huge Week On The Billboard Charts
When it comes to Metallica and the Billboard charts this week, the focus is on the group's self-titled full-length. That project brings the hard rock legends to a milestone that only a very small number of artists in history have reached — but it's not the only exciting thing happening with the Grammy winners. Multiple titles connected to Metallica return to various tallies this frame, as fans continue to buy and stream everything the band has released, not just its namesake bestseller. Master of Puppets Returns to Top Album Sales Metallica is one of two titles by the band of the same name to appear on at least one Billboard chart. As that set soars on multiple rankings, Master of Puppets reenters the Top Album Sales ranking. The decades-old project is once again a bestseller as it breaks back onto the list of the bestselling projects in the country at No. 44. Luminate reports that sales of the fan favorite increased by almost 21% week over week, with just under 2,900 pure purchases. 'Enter Sandman' Returns to a Global Chart Metallica only claims one hit song on any Billboard chart, and 'Enter Sandman' is once again that classic. The single rises to No. 9 on the Hard Rock Streaming Songs roster as it finds its way back to the Billboard Global 200. The band once again scores one of the 200 most consumed songs around the planet, as 'Enter Sandman' flies back to No. 194 after not finding space on the list at all just days ago. The decades-old cut, regarded as one of the most important in hard rock history, has only spent six weeks on the list throughout the years, and it has previously topped out at No. 177. Metallica Joins Pink Floyd and Bob Marley Metallica, the album, hits 800 weeks on the Billboard 200 this frame as it rises to No. 154. It's just the fourth release in history to make it to that milestone on the hugely competitive tally, following The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers, and Greatest Hits by Journey. Metallica lives on a trio of tallies at the moment. In addition to the Billboard 200, it returns to the top 40, landing at No. 40 on the Top Rock & Alternative Albums chart, and dips a single spot on the Top Hard Rock Albums list. A Legacy of Chart and Sales Dominance Released in August 1991, Metallica — often referred to as The Black Album — marked a commercial breakthrough for the band. It was powered by smash hits like 'Enter Sandman,' 'The Unforgiven,' and 'Nothing Else Matters,' which still rank among the most successful from the harder side of rock music. The behemoth has moved at least 20 million copies in the U.S. alone, making it one of the top performers of all time.
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Newsweek
Jack Osbourne Issues Another Statement on Dad Ozzy's Death
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Jack Osbourne shared another statement about his father, Ozzy Osbourne, following the Black Sabbath singer's death on July 22 at the age of 76. The Osbournes star, 39, took to X on Sunday after previously posting a tribute to him on August 6. Newsweek reached out to Osbourne's representative via email for comment on Monday. Why It Matters Ozzy Osbourne, who was affectionately known as the Prince of Darkness, died just weeks after he performed at the Black Sabbath farewell concert in Birmingham, England, on July 5. The performance marked the first time the original members of the band had reunited in 20 years. The "Crazy Train" singer died of a heart attack, with cardiac arrest and coronary artery disease among the causes, according to his death certificate filed in London, The New York Times reported. Ozzy Osbourne had also been living with Parkinson's disease. What To Know On Sunday, Jack Osbourne shared a video from Audiomover titled: "Ozzy - Was All of this a Premonition?" "This sums my father's journey up perfectly," the reality TV star wrote on X and Facebook. "Thank you for so beautifully expressing what so many of us have had a hard time putting into words." Hours before his death, Audiomover owner Robert John Hadfield asked why Ozzy Osbourne was such a global household name. "He didn't have a traditional rock voice. It was kind of strange, eerie, almost otherworldly and perfect in its imperfection," Hadfield said of the musician in the 12-minute clip reposted by Jack Osbourne. "It brought something unusually authentic to an unexpecting world. They took the blues and turned it into thunder—capturing fear, war, addiction and dread without flinching. And millions across the world got it. In an instant, his voice and that music took him to the heights of worldwide fame and success." In a separate section of the video, Hadfield added that The Osbournes television show "turned him into an unlikely TV dad, and people loved him even more for it." On Wednesday, Jack penned a message to X and Instagram, saying he hadn't "wanted to post anything since the passing of my father." "My heart has hurt too much," he told his followers. "I'm gonna keep this short because he certainly hated long rambling speeches. He was so many things to so many people, but I was so lucky and blessed to be apart of a very small group that got to call him 'Dad'. My heart is full of so much sadness and sorrow, but also so much love and gratitude. I got 14,501 days with that man and I know that is such a blessing." Ozzy Osbourne and Jack Osbourne visit the Tribeca Film Festival 2011 portrait studio on April 25, 2011, in New York City. Ozzy Osbourne and Jack Osbourne visit the Tribeca Film Festival 2011 portrait studio on April 25, 2011, in New York Tribeca Film Festival What People Are Saying Following Ozzy Osbourne's death, celebrities—including his Black Sabbath bandmates—shared tributes to social media. Black Sabbath wrote on social media: "Ozzy Forever!" Black Sabbath co-founder and guitarist Tony Iommi said on social media: "I just can't believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It's just such heartbreaking news that I can't really find the words, there won't ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz. Tony." Black Sabbath co-founder and bassist Geezer Butler shared on social media: "Goodbye dear friend - thanks for all those years - we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston - who'd have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you." Black Sabbath co-founder and drummer Bill Ward posted on social media: "Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you're forever in my heart. Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever." Aerosmith wrote on social media: "We're heartbroken to hear about the passing of our brother in rock, Ozzy Osbourne. A voice that changed music forever. From Black Sabbath to his solo work, Ozzy redefined what it meant to be heavy. He did it all with heart, grit, and that wild spirit only he could bring." "Our love goes out to Sharon, his family, his band, and the millions around the world who felt his fire. Rock on, Ozzy. You will be missed, but never forgotten!" Happy Gilmore 2 star Adam Sandler said on X and Instagram: "Whether we were in our basements with our brothers, in the woods with our buddies, in the car, at a keg party, on a boat, at football practice, at a was more badass to crank up on our speakers than the one and only prince of darkness - Ozzy Osborne! Loved him a lot like we all did! Sending love to the family and so happy to have spent time with the legend himself. RIP" Rapper T-Pain added via X: "Heartbroken by the news. I was blessed to be able to cover War Pigs and get your recognition. Ozzy Forever." What Happens Next? Before his death, Ozzy Osbourne announced that Black Sabbath's farewell concert would be released in theaters next year.
Forbes
7 hours ago
- Forbes
Black Sabbath's Biggest Album Surges To New Highs After Ozzy Osbourne's Death
Black Sabbath released 19 studio albums throughout the decades, along with numerous other projects like live sets and compilations. Following the death of frontman Ozzy Osbourne just a few weeks ago, both his solo catalog and the band's output have soared in popularity. Consumption of everything tied to the two acts has surged, sending both Osbourne and Black Sabbath back onto charts all around the world, and even producing new wins in the United States. The band's biggest album rises on multiple tallies this frame, hitting just-established peaks on several rankings at the same time. Paranoid Climbs to New Peaks Paranoid is remembered as perhaps Black Sabbath's most important full-length. The group's second set marked a major high point in the early '70s, bringing the rockers to No. 1 in the United Kingdom for the first time. This week, Paranoid climbs to new best placements on both the Top Rock Albums and Top Rock & Alternative Albums charts in America. On those lists, the decades-old title improves to Nos. 4 and 5, respectively. Paranoid on the Billboard Charts Paranoid has only spent two weeks on both of the genre-specific rankings where it hits new highs this frame. The set debuted last frame after Osbourne's passing ignited a surge in sales and streams. The set also rises on both the Billboard 200 and Top Album Sales tallies, lifting to Nos. 27 and 39, though those numbers aren't the title's loftiest placements. Paranoid Debuts on the Streaming Tally The classic Paranoid can be found on two other tallies as well. It launches at No. 40 on the Top Streaming Albums ranking, giving Black Sabbath its first hit on that list, just weeks after the group played its final show together. The tally was introduced only a few years ago, so the band's absence until now isn't surprising. Multiple Wins for Black Sabbath Paranoid also appears on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart, the only Billboard tally where Black Sabbath occupies more than one space this week. The bestseller holds at its all-time peak of No. 2, while The Ultimate Collection improves two rungs to No. 21. The Lasting Legacy of Paranoid When Paranoid was released in September 1970, it quickly established Black Sabbath's reputation as pioneers of heavy metal. The eight-track set includes some of the band's defining cuts, such as 'War Pigs,' 'Iron Man,' and the title track — all of which remain staples of classic rock radio and streaming playlists.
