Ozzy Osbourne, 74, announces retirement from touring and cancels all remaining shows
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Ozzy Osbourne has retired from touring and has canceled all his upcoming shows while he recovers from spinal surgery.
The 74-year-old rocker was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago and has been battling various health issues in recent years.
She was due to start her European tour in May, originally scheduled for 2019 and then rescheduled three times, but has now been officially canceled along with more dates to come.
Ozzy’s last tour show was in December 2018, where he performed at Ozzfest in Inglewood as part of the farewell tour, No More Tours II.
End of an era: Ozzy Osbourne has pulled out of touring and canceled all his upcoming shows as he recovers from spinal surgery (pictured from September)
In a candid Instagram post on Wednesday, the Black Sabbath rocker apologized for “letting down” his fans, admitting that he “never would have imagined my touring days would end this way.”
He confessed that he was still struggling with health problems seven months after undergoing spinal surgery that saved him from paralysis and in the midst of his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease.
He explained: ‘This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans. As everyone knows, four years ago, this month, I had a serious accident in which I damaged my spine.
“My only purpose during this time has been to return to the stage. My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physiotherapy sessions and most recently the innovative Cybernics (HAL) treatment, my body is still physically weak.’
Attendee: Ozzy was photographed leaning against a friend as he arrived at a gym class in Los Angeles last Thursday, seven months after undergoing spinal surgery that saved him from paralysis.
Ozzy continued: “I’m honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently guarded your tickets all this time, but in all good conscience I’ve now realized I’m not physically capable of making my next European.” /UK tour dates as I know I couldn’t afford the necessary travel. Trust me when I say the thought of disappointing my fans really F***S ME, more than they’ll ever know.’
He continued: ‘I never would have imagined my touring days would end this way. My team is currently brainstorming where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.
‘I want to thank my family… my band… my crew… my old friends, @JudasPriest and of course my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty and support, and for giving me the life I never had. I ever dreamed that I would have
‘Love you all… Ticket refunds are available at point of purchase.’
Sad news: In a candid post, the Black Sabbath rocker apologized for ‘letting his fans down’, admitting he ‘never would have imagined my touring days would end this way’
Ozzy confessed: “In full conscience, I have now realized that I am not physically capable of making my upcoming European/UK tour dates” (pictured July 2022)
Ozzy previously said he could be paralyzed for life after undergoing his first spinal surgery in 2019.
Months after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, he suffered a horrifying fall that aggravated a neck injury from his 2003 ATV accident.
The injury triggered previous nerve damage from his quad bike accident 17 years ago, where he broke eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck on his English estate.
He underwent spinal surgery that left him with 15 screws in his back, nerve pain in his neck, back, shoulders and arms, and the star feared receiving ‘neck bolts’.
He underwent two more operations last year, the most recent of which took place in June, and Ozzy said: “Thank God I found the right surgeon who knows how to treat spinal problems.” He had to cut the nerves and you have to take pills for nerve pain, but I’m getting better.
The Black Sabbath hitmaker returned to the stage in August in his hometown of Birmingham for the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, just two months after ‘life-changing surgery’.
End of an era: Ozzy’s last tour show was in December 2018, where he performed at Ozzfest in Inglewood as part of the farewell tour, No More Tours II (pictured backstage with his wife Sharon)
The Paranoid hitmaker opened up about his current health while appearing on his own channel Ozzy’s Boneyard on SiriusXM last month, with the star saying of the tour: “It’s so fucking hard because, I mean, I want to be out there.” .
I want to be doing it. This fucking surgery this guy did. Damn, you have no idea.”
“The thing is, my head is fine, my creativity is fine, my singing is fine, but now I can’t walk much.”
‘I can’t begin to tell you how fucking frustrating life has become. It’s amazing how life is going for you and one stupid thing can spoil everything for a long time. I have never been sick for so long in my life.
“That surgeon told me that if he didn’t operate on me, there was a good chance I would be paralyzed from the neck down.”