Latest news with #Paranoid
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Tony Iommi Charts His First Solo Top 40 Hit Thanks To An Unlikely Feature
Tony Iommi joins Robbie Williams on 'Rocket,' earning his first solo top 40 hit in the United ... More Kingdom on multiple sales charts. Guitarist Tony Iommi is shown performing on stage during a live concert appearance with Black Sabbath on August 8, 2013. (Photo by)"n Tony Iommi is regarded as a god in the rock world, and has been for decades. He first rose to prominence as one of the founding members of Black Sabbath and, for years, he helped bring heavy metal to the masses with his signature guitar sound. While he's primarily known for his work with that group, Iommi does occasionally release music under his own name. The superstar scores a hit song in his home country of the United Kingdom this week by teaming up with a somewhat surprising figure. Iommi earns a top 40 hit on both the Official Singles Downloads and Official Singles Sales charts this frame. He joins Robbie Williams on the track "Rocket," which opens at Nos. 34 and 36, respectively, on those tallies, becoming a top 40 bestseller in the nation. It appears that "Rocket" is Iommi's first solo hit on both of those rankings. As a member of Black Sabbath, he's only reached the lists once, as "Paranoid" spent one frame on the rosters in August 2022. Of course, it's worth mentioning that these tallies didn't exist during the heyday of the heavy metal act. Iommi has landed more than one solo placement on the Official Rock & Metal Albums roster with his solo collections, but those titles didn't produce any hit songs across the Atlantic. "Rocket" serves as the lead single from Williams's upcoming album Britpop. It's interesting that the first taste of a full-length named after a style of pop music from the U.K. wouldn't typically be classified under that genre, and would feature one of the most recognizable figures in metal — but that's Williams, playing another one of his jokes. While Iommi may be new to these rankings, Williams has already scored a number of hits. The pop icon has racked up a dozen smashes on the Official Singles Sales chart and well over two dozen on the Official Singles Downloads list. A top 40 start is impressive for Iommi but rather low for Williams, one of the most successful pop stars in U.K. history. The tune doesn't reach the main list of the most consumed songs — the Official Singles chart — at least not yet, which is a bit disappointing.
Perth Now
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Ozzy Osbourne getting 'stronger every day'
Ozzy Osbourne is "getting stronger every day". The 'Paranoid' hitmaker - who has battled pneumonia and a lingering infection in recent years, had neck and spinal issues, which were exacerbated by a 2019 fall, as well as Parkinson's disease and pneumonia and a lingering infection in recent years - is preparing for Black Sabbath's farewell concert in Birmingham, England, in July and despite concerns for his health, his daughter Kelly Osbourne has insisted he will be "ready" to take to the stage. She is quoted by The Sun newspaper as saying: 'He's working out every day. He's getting stronger every day and he is ready for this. I think this is going to be the final one. 'It is my dad's opportunity to say thank you to everybody who gave him the life and the career." The 'Back To The Beginning' show at Villa Park on 5 July marks the first time frontman Ozzy has reunited with his bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward in 20 years and Kelly thinks it will be "magical". She added: 'And it gives me goosebumps just talking about it because it's his moment to give back and it's not about anything other than his love for his fans. 'I think it's going to be a really magical moment.' The 76-year-old rocker is planning to play a short solo set before joining the rest of the group for a Sabbath spectacular, though he has admitted he won't be putting on an energetic show and will likely spend most of his perfomance sitting down, though he's been working hard to improve his fitness. He recently told the Guardian newspaper: "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. I've got a vocal coach coming round four days a week to keep my voice going." Ozzy's wife Sharon previously insisted the singer's voice is as good as ever despite all of his health problems. She told The Sun: "He's very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this [planned gig]. "Parkinson's is a progressive disease. It's not something you can stabilise. It affects different parts of the body and it's affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it's ever been."
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.
Perth Now
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Ozzy Osbourne feared health issues would never end
Ozzy Osbourne feared his health problems were "never going to end". The 'Paranoid' hitmaker - who has battled pneumonia and a lingering infection in recent years, had neck and spinal issues, which were exacerbated by a 2019 fall, as well as Parkinson's disease - is preparing for Black Sabbath's farewell concert in Birmingham, England, this summer and he admitted the all-star gig was conceived by his wife, Sharon Osbourne, so that he had "something to give [him] a reason to get up in the morning'. He added to The Guardian newspaper: 'You wake up the next morning and find that something else has gone wrong. You begin to think this is never going to end.' The 76-year-old rocker has thrown himself into preparing for the 'Back To The Beginning' show at Villa Parkon 5 July, and has a trainer living with him to get him back to fitness, while a vocal coach visits several times a week. He said: '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. 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." Ozzy warned fans not to expect the sort of energetic performance he'd have undertaken in previous years. He added: "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.' But the veteran musician is determined to do his best. He said: 'I'll be there, and I'll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up... '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.'
