Ozzy Osbourne retires from touring, cancels shows amid health concerns
“Nothing Feels Right” — so Ozzy Osbourne is retiring from touring.
The Black Sabbath frontman announced in a statement posted to social media early Wednesday that a spinal injury four years ago and subsequent surgeries have made him incapable of traveling.
“Never would have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way,” his wrote in his emotional announcement.
“I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience,” the British rocker continued, “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.”
While Osbourne, 74, acknowledged his “singing voice is fine,” his physical health has taken a toll as he also has been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2019.
The “Iron Man” rocker revealed in his statement that has undergone three operations, stem cell treatments, physical therapy and Hybrid Assistive Limb treatment.
“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,” he added.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer underwent what his wife, Sharon Osbourne, described as a “life-altering” operation last year that removed and realigned pins in his neck and back.
“It’s really going to determine the rest of his life,” she said on the British TV show “The Talk” ahead of the surgery.
Osbourne’s decision to walk away from the stage would have been a tremendously difficult one, as he admitted just last year that performing on the stage is “where I belong.”
“The relationship I have with my audience is the biggest love affair of my life,” he added at the time.