Latest news with #NoMoreTours2
Express Tribune
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Ozzy Osbourne, 76, says he will perform final concert despite health issues
At 76, rock icon Ozzy Osbourne has made it clear he will take the stage at his final concert this July, even as serious health concerns raise questions about whether he'll make it through the performance. The Black Sabbath frontman has endured seven surgeries in five years, including a spinal procedure as recent as September 2023, and has battled Parkinson's disease since 2003. Speaking to The Guardian, the legendary rocker didn't mince words about his determination: "I'll be there, and I'll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up." The event, titled Back to the Beginning, will be held at Villa Park in Birmingham and is expected to reunite the original Black Sabbath lineup for the first time in 20 years. The star-studded metal showcase will feature acts like Metallica, Slayer, Alice In Chains, and Anthrax, and will benefit three charities. Yet, not everyone is convinced the Prince of Darkness will make it to the stage. Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan, whose band is also on the bill, shared his reservations: "I'm cautious about saying, 'Yeah! All in, he's gonna do it.' I don't know what kind of modern miracles we'll come up with to get him on stage to do the songs... I'm kinda preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best." Ozzy, however, is taking the show seriously and preparing both mentally and physically. 'I do weights, bike riding, I've got a guy living at my house who's working with me,' he revealed. 'It's tough – I've been laid up for such a long time. 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.' His wife, Sharon Osbourne, added that the concert gives him 'a reason to get up in the morning.' He's also training vocally and working with a coach to be stage-ready. Still, Ozzy noted that due to ongoing walking difficulties and blood clots that have led to blood pressure complications, he 'may be sitting down' during the performance. The toll on his health has been building for years. In 2020, Osbourne opened up about his physical suffering: 'If I had a choice between the Parkinson's and the f*ing neck, I'd go for the Parkinson's,'** he told The Sun. A fall in 2019 worsened a previous injury from a 2003 quad bike crash, prompting him to cancel his North American No More Tours 2 shows in favor of seeking treatment in Switzerland. 'First I had an infection in my hand — that pulled me off the road — then I got pneumonia, then I had the fall, then I had surgery and here I am today, it's driving me nuts.' Back to the Beginning was announced earlier this year by Sharon Osbourne and guitarist Tony Iommi at Villa Park, the band's hometown ground. The concert is scheduled for July 5, 2025, and will feature Ozzy, Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward performing together in their original lineup. Since their peak in the 1970s with metal-defining tracks like Paranoid, War Pigs, and Iron Man, Black Sabbath has reunited in fragments—but this concert marks the first full original reunion since 2005.
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ozzy Osbourne, 76, insists he WILL perform at his final concert despite concerns about his ailing health
has insisted that he will perform at what is being billed at his final concert in July, despite concerns about his ailing health. The rock legend, 76, has undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal operation in September 2023, and has been privately battling Parkinson's disease since 2003. However, despite being plagued by a string of health issues, Ozzy defiantly told The Guardian: 'I'll be there, and I'll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up.' He is tipped to join the original line-up of Black Sabbath for the first time in 20 years as the take to the stage at their beloved Villa Park in Birmingham at a gig titled Back to the Beginning. The Paranoid hitmakers will be joined by stellar line-up of metal acts including Metallica, Slayer, Alice In Chains and Anthrax, with the concert raising funds for three charities. Despite Ozzy's insistence, Tool front man Maynard James Keenan has expressed his doubts about whether the rocker will actually make it. The rock legend, 76, has undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal operation in September 2023, and has been privately battling Parkinson's disease since 2003 [pictured in 2023] He said of the gigs, which his band are also playing: 'I'm cautious about saying, "Yeah! All in, he's gonna do it". I don't know what kind of modern miracles we'll come up with to get him on stage to do the songs, but this is gonna be a challenge for them. So, I'm honoured to be a part of it, but I'm kinda preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.' But Ozzy is well aware of the toll that the concert will take and has been physically and mentally preparing himself for it, with his wife Sharon Osbourne noting that the gig is a 'reason to get up in the morning'. Explaining his preparation, he shared: '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. 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.' The singer has also enlisted a vocal coach to ensure his voice is up to scratch for the big day. Despite his enthusiasm, Ozzy admitted that he won't be very active on stage and 'may be sitting down' as he noted further health problems including problems with walking and blood clots on his legs that lead to blood pressure issues. Back in 2020, Ozzy candidly spoke about his health, admitting he is in 'unbelievable pain 24/7'. The rocker who had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's at the time, says a nasty fall in 2019 aggravated a neck injury from his 2003 quad bike accident. At the time, Ozzy said the crippling nerve damage is the reason why he made the decision to call off his North American leg of his No More Tours 2 tour, so he could seek further treatment in Switzerland. Ozzy is well aware of the toll that the concert will take and has been preparing himself for it, with his wife Sharon Osbourne noting that the gig is a 'reason to get up in the morning' The show was first announced back in February with Ozzy's wife Sharon and the band's guitarist Tony Iommi at the big reveal at the concert's venue, Villa Park. The show will take place on July 5 at the birthplace of the band and will feature Ozzy, Tommy, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward. The group pioneered heavy metal music in the early 1970s with hits such as War Pigs, Paranoid and Iron Man. Since their last gig together in 2005, Black Sabbath has played in partial reunions but never in their original line-up. Top a line-up of rock and heavy metal icons will include sets from the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Gojira, Halestorm and Mastodon. The all-day event will also feature a supergroup of musicians. Artists announced so far include Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David Draiman (Disturbed), Duff McKagan, Frank Bello (Anthrax), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis (Korn), KK Downing and Lzzy Hale (Halestorm). Profits from the show, called Back To The Beginning, will be shared equally between the following charities: Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice, a Children's Hospice supported by Aston Villa. Osbourne, the group's charismatic frontman who left the band in 1979 due to drug and alcohol problems and went on to pursue a highly successful solo career, said in 2020 he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The all-star event will celebrate the true creators of heavy metal and will see Ozzy Osbourne play his own short set before joining with Black Sabbath for his final bow. He said in a statement: 'It's ... time for me to give back to the place where I was born. How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal.' Formed in Birmingham in 1968 and going on to become one of most successful metal bands of all time, Black Sabbath have sold over 75 million albums worldwide across their legendary career. Setting the blueprint for the many routes heavy metal took, Black Sabbath's influence and importance is as vital today as it was in the early 1970s.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ozzy Osbourne admits he will only manage a few songs in final Black Sabbath gig
Ozzy Osbourne will play with Black Sabbath one final time and is training mode ahead of the July show Ozzy Osbourne has vowed to "do the best I can" as he prepares to play his final ever live show with Black Sabbath. The frontman and singer, 76, has been diagnosed with a form of Parkinson's and has had other health issues for a number of years now which have prevented him going back out on tour. Instead Ozzy and Black Sabbath will headline their final gig on July 5th at Villa Park in Birmingham, as part of an event titled "Back To The Beginning". This show will reunite the original band members – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward – for the first time in 20 years. Speaking about the prospect of making it back up on stage, Ozzy said: 'I'll be there, and I'll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up.' In terms of what fans can expect, he added: "We're only playing a couple of 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.' The concert will also feature sets from various heavy metal bands, including Metallica, Slayer, and Pantera. But Ozzy's poor health means he won't be able to play a full set. As well as Parkinson's, he had a fall at home in 2019 which aggravated injuries from a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003, stopping his No More Tours 2 shows from going ahead in Europe and the UK. The tour had previously been rescheduled several times because of illness, the Covid pandemic and logistical issues. Speaking to the Guardian, Ozzy said: '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 went on to add that the reunion concert was conceived by his wife, Sharon, as 'something to give me a reason to get up in the morning'. The band played its "last" gig in 2017 in Birmingham with Osborne, guitarist Iommi and bassist Butler but without Ward on drums. But last year Ozzy was not well enough to perform at the band's Rock'N'Roll Hall Of Fame inauguration in America. Black Sabbath's story began in Birmingham where Osbourne, Iommi, Butler and Ward were looking to escape a life of factory work. Their eponymous debut album in 1970 made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit records. They went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. The group were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, and Osbourne was added for a second time last year. He previously celebrated his home city in 2022 when he helped close the Commonwealth Games. He rose to further fame alongside his wife Sharon - who he married in 1982 and with whom he has three children, Aimee, Jack and Kelly - through their reality TV series The Osbournes. All profits from the July 5 show will go to charities including Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice, which is supported by Aston Villa.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ozzy Osbourne to open up about health issues and final show in new documentary
Ozzy Osbourne's health issues and upcoming final show with Black Sabbath will be chronicled in an upcoming feature-length documentary. The programme will explore how his world screeched to a halt in 2019 after his fall at home, the impact of his Parkinson's diagnosis and the role music continues to play in his life. Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now, which began filming in early 2022 during the rocker's recording sessions for his thirteenth studio album, is set to air on Paramount+ later this year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ozzy Osbourne (@ozzyosbourne) Osbourne said: 'The last six years have been full of some of the worst times I've been through. 'There's been times when I thought my number was up, but making music and making two albums saved me. I'd have gone nuts without music.' In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and he paused touring 'for now' in 2023 after extensive spinal surgery. He had a fall at home in 2019 which aggravated injuries from a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003, stopping his No More Tours 2 shows from going ahead in Europe and the UK. The tour had previously been rescheduled several times because of illness, the Covid pandemic and logistical issues. He released his twelfth studio album Ordinary Man in 2020, followed by Patient Number 9 in 2022, which went to number three and two in the UK charts respectively. The 76-year-old singer is set to reunite with all his original Black Sabbath bandmates for his final performance on July 5 billed as The Back To The Beginning show. The all-day event at Villa Park in Birmingham, the city where the heavy rock pioneers formed in 1968, will also feature sets by a host of major metal bands including Metallica, Slayer and Alice In Chains. Osbourne added: 'My fans have supported me for so many years, and I really want to thank them and say a proper goodbye to them. That is what the Villa Park show is about.' The documentary is billed as an 'honest, warm and deeply personal portrait of one of the greatest rock stars of all time' which 'peers behind Ozzy's public persona'. Directed by Bafta winner Tania Alexander, the documentary will span from the recordings sessions of Osbourne's album in 2022 to his final show in July. Alongside featuring the rocker, his wife Sharon and their children, it will include contributions from those close to him including Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi and Billy Idol. TV star Sharon said: 'This film is an honest account of what has happened to Ozzy during the last few years. 'It shows how hard things have been for him and the courage he has shown while dealing with a number of serious health issues, including Parkinson's. 'It's about the reality of his life now. We have worked with a production team we trust and have allowed them the freedom to tell the story openly. We hope that story will inspire people that are facing similar issues to Ozzy.' Black Sabbath's story began in Birmingham where Osbourne, Iommi, Butler and Ward were looking to escape a life of factory work, and their first major break came when their eponymous debut album in 1970 made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit records. They went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. Osbourne rose to further fame alongside his wife Sharon – who he married in 1982 and with whom he has three children, Aimee, Jack and Kelly – through their reality TV series The Osbournes. 'Ozzy is forever woven into Paramount's brand DNA, especially his history with MTV – Headbanger's Ball in the 80s, Battle for Ozzfest and of course The Osbournes,' said Bruce Gillmer, president of music at Paramount and chief content officer of music at Paramount+. 'Given our storied past with Ozzy, Sharon and the whole family, we were determined to land this project and look forward to sharing it with his legions of fans and global audiences on Paramount+ later this year.'
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What we know about Black Sabbath's final gig with Ozzy Osbourne
Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne will reunite with his original bandmates this summer for his final live performance. The heavy metal star, 76, will rock Birmingham's Villa Park on 5 July, as part of an all-day event called 'Back to the Beginning'. He will deliver his own solo set before playing together with bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the first time in 20 years. Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, who will serve as the gig's musical director and one of the support acts, said it would be "the greatest heavy metal show ever". But what else can fans expect? Here's everything you need to know about the concert, including how to get tickets. Buy Black Sabbath tickets Tickets for Black Sabbath's farewell show will go on sale via Ticketmaster at 10am on Friday, 14 February. The gig will take place on 5 July at Villa Park in Birmingham, the city where the music pioneers formed in 1968. Villa Park is the home ground of Osbourne's favourite football team, Aston Villa. All profits will go to charities including Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorn Children's Hospice, which is supported by Aston Villa. Black Sabbath played their "last" gig in 2017 in Birmingham with Osbourne, guitarist Iommi and bassist Butler, but without Ward on drums. In a statement, Osbourne said: "It's my time to go back to the beginning… time for me to give back to the place where I was born. How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham forever." The singer first planned to retire from live performing in 1992, when he embarked on a tour dubbed No More Tours. He later reversed his decision. But Osbourne is now bowing out for good following several health issues, including a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003. The singer's injuries were aggravated by a fall at home in 2019, forcing him to cut short his second farewell tour, No More Tours 2. The tour had previously been rescheduled several times because of illness, the Covid pandemic and logistical issues. In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and he paused touring "for now" in 2023 after extensive spinal surgery. His most recent UK performance came during a surprise appearance at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in his hometown in 2022. Osbourne formed the metal group in 1968 while looking to escape a life of factory work. Their self-titled debut album in 1970 made the UK top 10 and paved the way for hit singles including Paranoid, War Pigs and Iron Man. They went on to sell more than 75 million albums worldwide, and have been credited with influencing generations of rock and metal acts. Their final LP, 13, was released in 2013, but Rage Against the Machine drummer Brad Wilk filled in for Ward. The group were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, and Osbourne was added for a second time last year. The frontman rose to further fame alongside his wife Sharon, who he married in 1982, through their reality TV series The Osbournes. The couple have three children, Aimee, Jack and Kelly. Sharon told the BBC: "Ozzy didn't have a chance to say goodbye to his friends, to his fans, and he feels there's been no full stop. This is his full stop." Many major bands will serve as Black Sabbath's support acts, including Metallica, Slayer and Alice in Chains. The event will also see performances by Pantera, Gojira, Halestorm, Lamb of God, Anthrax and Mastodon. Other musicians on the line-up include Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, Guns N' Roses' Duff McKagan and Slash, Limp Bizkit singer Fred Durst, Halestorm's Lzzy Hale and Rage Against the Machine star Tom Morello. They will be joined by the following stars: Anthrax's Frank Bello and Scott Ian Disturbed's David Draiman Korn's Jonathan Davis Faith No More's Mike Bordin Ghost's Papa V Perpetua Guitarist Jake E Lee Judas Priest's KK Downing Bassist Rudy Sarzo Guitarist Sammy Hagar Wolfgang Van Halen Zakk Wylde Sleep Token Black Sabbath's Back to the Beginning gig will take place on 5 July
