Ozzy Osbourne to retire from touring

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/feb/01/ozzy-osbourne-to-retire-from-touring-due-to-declining-health

Ozzy Osbourne to retire from touring due to declining health
Former Black Sabbath singer says he has ‘come to the realisation that I’m not physically capable’ to deal with travel
Shaad D’Souza
@shaaddsouza
Wed 1 Feb 2023 05.31 EST
Last modified on Wed 1 Feb 2023 05.32 EST

Ozzy Osbourne has announced that he is retiring from touring due to declining health. The 74-year-old Black Sabbath singer was due to embark on a tour of the UK and Europe later this year, but in a statement said that he has “come to the realisation that I’m not physically capable … as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required.”

“This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans,” he continued. “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.”

“Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know,” he wrote. “Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way.”

In the statement, Osbourne said that he was looking into “ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country”, and thanked his fans for “their endless dedication, loyalty and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have”.