Ozzy Osbourne, the “Prince of Darkness,” will soon hang up his billowing black cape and retire from performing for good. But first, he will reunite onstage with Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for the first time in 20 years. Dubbed “Back to the Beginning,” the July concert will also feature support from bands including Tool, Metallica, Slayer, Guns N’ Roses, and more. And while Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan has voiced concerns about Osbourne’s ability to perform, the 76-year-old heavy metal legend is assuring fans he will find a way.
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Ozzy Osbourne Says Black Sabbath Concert Gives Him “A Reason To Get Up in the Morning”
Speaking this week with heavy metal website ThePRP, Maynard James Keenan said that Ozzy Osbourne would need ” modern miracles” to take the stage July 5 in Birmingham, England.
“I’m honored to be a part of it, but I’m kinda preparing for the worst — but hoping for the best, as they say,” said the “Sober” singer, 61.
In fairness, Osbourne has battled a slew of health issues in recent years. The “Crazy Train” singer needed multiple surgeries following a 2019 fall that exacerbated an existing spinal injury. Those complications led to a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.
“You wake up the next morning and find that something else has gone wrong,” Osbourne told The Guardian. “You begin to think this is never going to end.”
Sharon Osbourne, the musician’s wife and manager, came up with the idea for the reunion concert “to give me a reason to get up in the morning,” Ozzy said. And that’s quite literal, as the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer is preparing daily with a routine that includes weights and bike riding.
“It’s tough – I’ve been laid up for such a long time,” Ozzy said. “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 May Be Sitting Down”
Sammy Hagar, who is participating in Black Sabbath’s final gig, recently revealed that Ozzy Osbourne was aiming to perform five songs. And Osbourne himself confirmed to The Guardian that he will not perform a full set.
“I don’t want people thinking, ‘We’re getting ripped off’, because it’s just going to be … what’s the word? … a sample,” he said. “You’re going to get a few songs each by Ozzy and Sabbath.”
While Ozzy has every intention of showing up to perform, he says this one may look different from years past. “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,” he said. “I may be sitting down.”
Featured image by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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