Ozzy Osbourne announced his retirement from touring back In February of this year yet he still wants to continue playing shows every now and again, even if he has to get someone to wheel onto the stage
“I remember some good gigs and I’ve done my fair share of fucking bad gigs,” Ozzy tells Metal Hammer in an exclusive interview in their latest issue, which was conducted by TENACIOUS D. “A guitar player can change his guitar. A drummer can change the drum. If my voice goes, I’m fucked. One time I was at a gig at Nassau Coliseum in New York. On the way to the gig, my voice went out. The kids were already there and I thought, ‘What the fuck am I gonna do now?’ I went out and tried to sing and they gave me a standing ovation. The kids would rather see you being bad than go home.
“I mean, doing a live show is what I live for,” he continues. “I’ve had to cancel my [2023] European tour but I’m determined. I’ve gotta do more gigs if I have to get someone to wheel me out there. I mean, you can’t retire from this game. It’s not a job, it’s a fucking passion. I don’t know how to do anything else. The thought of sitting in my house all day… I’m a road dog, you know? I’ve been doing it fucking 55 years. It’s the best thing to have ever happened to me.”
Ozzy Osbourne was recently announced as one of six headliners for the first ever Power Trip festival, which takes place in October of this year in Indio, California. Ozzy Osbourne‘s fellow headline acts inclue IRON MAIDEN, AC/DC, METALLICA, GUNS N’ ROSES and TOOL.
The announcement of Ozzy Osbourne participating in the massive festival came as a surprise to many fans’s after his recent retirement from the road, however it seems the Ozzman is dead set on still playing sporadic live concerts when he is physically able.
You can read more from Ozzy Osbourne‘s interview with TENACIOUS D in the new issue of Metal Hammer magazine, out now.
Ozzy Osbourne released the following statement on January 31 of this year regarding his retirement from the road: “This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans. 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.
“I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required. Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know.
“Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way. My team is currently coming up with ideas for 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 longtime friends, JUDAS PRIEST, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have.
“I love you all…” – Ozzy Osbourne
