Ozzy Osbourne has announced that he is retiring from full-scale touring due to ongoing health concerns. The legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and celebrated solo artist made the shattering announcement following the cancellation of his scheduled European and UK tour.
Osbourne released a statement via social media explaining the decision, revealing he never imagined his days as a touring musician would end this way. He also revealed that he intends on working with medical staff and his team to figure out how to play select shows without the need for extended travel between locations.
“This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans. As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine. My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage. My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.
I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, 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. My team is currently coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.
I want to thank my family……my band…….my crew……my longtime friends, Judas Priest, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have.
I love you all…”
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
It is believed that the medical issues stem from the fallout of a fall that Osbourne suffered in 2019, which resulted in the rupturing of several existing steel rods that had been implanted during his recovery from an accident in 2003.
An absolute icon of metal and pop culture, Osbourne was due to hit the road in support of his latest release Patient Number 9.
The first new music from the Prince of Darkness since his critically acclaimed, worldwide, chart-topping 2020 release Ordinary Man, Patient Number 9 is a remarkable release from one of the rock world's most enduring stars.
Produced by Andrew Watt, Patient Number 9 is Osbourne's thirteenth solo studio album. It’s heavy, it’s hard-hitting, it’s historic--it’s everything you’d want from an Ozzy record. Working with producer Watt for the second time, Ozzy welcomed a dynamic A-list supporting cast. The record boasts guitarists Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, and longstanding righthand man and six-string beast Zakk Wylde who plays on the majority of the tracks.
For the bulk of the album, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers held down drums, while the late Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters made an appearance. Old friend and one-time Ozzy band member Robert Trujillo of Metallica plays bass on most of the album's tracks, with Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses and Chris Chaney of Jane's Addiction supplying bass on a few songs. For the first time ever, Black Sabbath co-founder, guitarist, and riff-lord Tony Iommi appears on an Ozzy solo album.
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Back in September, The Prince of Darkness provided some insight into all that went into creating Patient Number 9
Ozzy Osbourne on Patient Number 9
Q: This is your first album to be released after the pandemic. What was going through your mind during the early days of the pandemic and are any of those feelings reflected in these songs?
Ozzy: “Well, I was vaccinated and boosted and I still caught Covid in the end. My last album (Ordinary Man) was released just a few weeks before the pandemic started, and I was just about getting ready to go into the studio to work on this new one when the world shut down. It’s no secret that the last four years have been very difficult for me but making this album took my mind off of my problems.”
Q: The album features some players with whom have history. What was it like to be reunited with Tony Iommi musically?
Ozzy: “It was really great working with Tony. He’s the riff master. No one can touch him in that respect. I only wish we had these songs for Black Sabbath’s 13 album.”
Q: Zakk contributes a lot on this album--how was the decision made to have him play since he didn’t play on the last album?
Ozzy: “Zakk is part of my family and always will be. The album needed that weight that his playing provides. He just came in and really sorted things out.”
Q: Tell us about the first single, Patient Number 9, which features Jeff Beck. What do you feel he has contributed to the song?
Ozzy: “The song is about a mental institution. Having someone like Jeff Beck play on my album is just incredible, a total honor. There’s no other guitar player that plays like him and his solo on Patient Number 9 is just jaw-dropping.”
Listen to Patient Number 9
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