Ozzy Osbourne is preparing to play what has been announced as his final concert ever, the star-studded “Back to the Beginning” show, which is scheduled for July 5 at Villa Park in his hometown of Birmingham, U.K. As previously reported, the event is expected to feature Osbourne briefly performing as a solo artist with guest musicians and with the original Black Sabbath lineup.
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It’s no secret that the Metal Madman has experienced serious health issues in recent years, and according to his wife, Sharon, he currently isn’t able to walk. That being said, in a new episode of the SiriusXM radio show Ozzy Speaks, Osbourne insisted that he’s working hard to get in shape so he can take part in the concert.
“I haven’t done any physical work for the last six-and-a-half, seven years,” he shared with Ozzy Speaks co-host Billy Morrison. Osbourne added, “By hook or by crook, I’m gonna make it there” to the show.
The 76-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer then explained, “I’ve got this trainer guy who helps people get back to normal. It’s hard going, but he’s convinced that he can pull it off for me. I’m giving it everything I’ve got.”
Osbourne also admitted that he’s been “stressing” about the show, noting that he suffers badly from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Regarding the anxiety he’s feeling about the event, Ozzy said he’s “just taking it one day at a time.”
He continued, “All I can say is I’m giving 120%. If my God wants me to do the show, I’ll do it.”
More About the Star-Studded Concert
Morrison told Osbourne that the concert’s incredible lineup of performers should take some of the pressure off of Ozzy.
“It’s all the people that we’ve influenced over the years,” Ozzy noted.
As previously reported, in addition to performances by Black Sabbath and Ozzy solo, the “Back from the Beginning” concert will feature Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Halestorm, Anthrax, Lamb of God, Mastodon, and other bands.
The show also will feature appearances by many other guest singers and musicians. Among them are Tom Morello, The Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, Sammy Hagar, Disturbed’s David Draiman, Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst, Korn’s Jonathan Davis, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith, Wolfgang Van Halen, Zakk Wylde, Jake E. Lee, Rudy Sarzo, ex-Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing, Living Colour’s Vernon Reid, and Faith No More’s Mike Bordin. Morello is serving as the event’s musical director.
Osbourne praised his wife and manager, Sharon, for organizing the concert. “She worked her a– off,” he said.
Ozzy also pointed out that the profits from the show will be donated to a number of charities.
There have been reports that, because of his mobility issues, Osbourne will be sitting in a throne for his performances. Morrison asked if this was true, to which Ozzy responded that he didn’t know or care, as long as he’s able to perform.
“If I’m in a throne, OK, [or] if I’m in a moveable f—in’ cart,” he commented.
(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
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