Off The Record

‘I Never Imagined It Would End This Way’: Ozzy Osbourne, 74, Announces Retirement From Touring And Cancels All Remaining Shows

Published on February 1, 2023

While Ozzy Osbourne recovers from spinal surgery, he has announced his retirement from performing and cancelled all of his future gigs.

The rock star, now 74, has been battling a number of health issues in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease, which was identified four years ago.

His European tour was slated to begin in May after being postponed multiple times (from 2019 to 2021 to 2022), however it has been called off at this time.

In December of 2018, Ozzy played his final tour show, No More Tours II’s Ozzfest in Inglewood.

The Black Sabbath singer posted an emotional Instagram apology to his followers on Wednesday, writing, “never would I have anticipated that my touring days would have ended this way.“

Seven months after the spinal surgery that saved him from paralysis, he admitted that he was still having health issues and fighting Parkinson’s disease.

He explained: ‘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.’

Ozzy continued: ‘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 F***S ME UP, more than you will ever know.’

He continued: ‘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, @JudasPriest, 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… Ticket refunds are available at point of purchase.’

After Ozzy’s first spinal surgery in 2019, he was warned he may be paralyzed for life.

When he finally got around to getting diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, he took a terrible fall that made his neck injury from a quad bike accident in 2003 more worse.

His eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck were damaged in a quad bike accident on his English country estate 17 years ago, and the injury initiated the effects of those injuries on his nerves.

After undergoing spinal surgery, he was left with 15 screws in his back, nerve discomfort all throughout his body (neck, back, shoulders, arms), and the worry of receiving ‘bolts in his neck.

Ozzy had two more surgery on his spine in 2017, the most recent one being in June.

Back at that time he said: ‘Thank God I found the right surgeon who knows how to deal with spinal problems. He had to cut nerves and you have to take f*g nerve-pain pills, but I am getting better.’

Just two months after undergoing the “life-altering surgery,” the Black Sabbath frontman performed at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in his birthplace of Birmingham in August.

The Paranoid singer opened out about his health on his SiriusXM channel last month, adding, ‘It is so f****g tough because, I mean, I want to be out there.

‘I want to be doing it. This f*****g surgery this guy did. Fg hell, you have no idea.”

‘The thing is my head is all right, my creativity is OK, my singing OK but I just can’t f*g walk much now.”

‘I can’t begin to tell you how f*g frustrating life has become. It is amazing how you go along in life and one stupid thing can screw everything up for a long time. I have never been ill this long in my life.