Ozzy Osbourne Hits Back at Retirement Rumors
The musician sets the record straight after canceling tour dates due to health concerns.
Ozzy Osbourne's fans were concerned the musician would retire after canceling tour dates due to health concerns. Thankfully, the rock icon has no desire to call it quits anytime soon.
The rocker addressed the concerns during the Feb. 27 episode of his radio show Ozzy Speaks. "Well, I've been working my guts out to try to get back on my feet," the "Paranoid" artist explained to co-host Billy Morrison. "I've come to the point where Sharon says to me, 'You know what, the truth of the matter is you can't keep booking tours and failing, canceling.'"
He continued, "So, if I can ever get back to where I can tour again, fine. But right now, if you said to me, 'Can you go on the road in a month?,' I couldn't say yes. I mean, if I could tour, I'd tour. But right now I can't book tours because, right now, I don't think I can pull them off."
Morrison pointed out that fans and the press took the tour cancelation announcement to mean that Osbourne was likely retiring, which the Black Sabbath frontman denied.
"The f—ing press could drive you nuts. I mean, I looked in a magazine and [it said], 'Ozzy's on his last legs.' I'm f—ing not dying," he exclaimed.
The music legend also noted that even if his doctor said he'd be ready to head on the road again, it would take at least six months to prepare the tour.
Osbourne had announced the European and UK tour cancelation with a solemn statement on Feb. 1.
The statement read, "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."
He added, "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 F—S ME UP, more than you will ever know."
Osbourne revealed his Parkinson's diagnosis in January 2020 on Good Morning America, while accompanied by wife Sharon and children Jack and Kelly. During the interview, Sharon pointed out that the Osbourne patriarch has PRKN2, a subtype of Parkinson's, and it's "not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination."
