Back in February, Ozzy Osbourne canceled his 2023 UK/European tour, and essentially has retired from the tour because of his various health issues. While his touring days may be over, the Prince of Darkness is determined to play more shows, even if it means getting “someone to drive. [him] out there.”
Right now, Ozzy has one gig scheduled, and it’s a big one. He played the big three days Power Trip concert event (tickets are available here) in Indio, California, last October, along with fellow rock and metal icons AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Metallica, and Tool.
The metal legend was interviewed by Tenacious D’s Jack Black and Kyle Gass for the new issue of Metal Hammerwho told the duo that he did not want to retire.
“I mean, doing a live show is what I live for,” Osbourne said. “I had to cancel my European tour but I was determined. I still have a lot of gigs [even] if I need to get someone to drive me there. I mean, you can’t retire from this game. It’s not a job, it’s a passion. I don’t know how to do anything else. The thought of sitting in my house all day… I’m a street dog, you know? I’ve been doing this for fucking 55 years. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Osbourne also talked about the importance of performing for his fans, no matter the circumstances. “I remember some good gigs and I’ve done my fair share of bad gigs,” he says. “A guitar player can change his guitar. A drummer can change the drum. When my voice goes out, I go crazy. One time I was at a gig at the Nassau Coliseum in New York. On the way to the gig, my voice came out. The kids were there and I thought, ‘What am I going to do now?’ I came out and tried to sing and they gave me a standing ovation. The kids would rather see you bad than go home.”
When he released his statement earlier this year announcing his retirement from touring, Osbourne left the door open to one-off gigs here and there. “I never imagined my touring days would end this way,” he said at the time. “My team now has ideas where I can perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.”
Despite his health setbacks over the past few years, including a serious fall at home and an ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease, Osbourne has managed to release new albums in 2020 (Ordinary Man) and 2022 (Patient number 9). Visit again RESULTSThe 2022 cover story featuring our interview with the metal luminary HERE.