Ozzy Osbourne has canceled all of his upcoming concerts and announced his retirement from touring.
The Black Sabbath frontman and legendary rock star took to social media on Wednesday (Feb. 1) to share the devastating news with fans via a statement.
“This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans,” he began, admitting that the statement is one he didn’t want to ever have to make.
He went on to explain that his “major accident” in 2019 caused damage to his spine.
“As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine,” Osbourne explained. “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 Praised Fans For Holding Onto Their Tickets Despite The Uncertainty
Osbourne then praised his fans for holding on to their tickets for the No More Tours II for nearly four years, despite not knowing if he would actually be able to return to the road.
“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,” Osbourne continued. “Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know.”
The “Prince of Darkness” concluded his statement admitting that he never “would 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,” Osbourne added. “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.”
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Refunds for tickets will be available at the point of purchase for fans who held onto their tickets for the No More Tours II trek. No More Tours II first began in 2018, however, Osbourne never truly got to complete the trek as in 2019 the European leg was postponed after an at home injury further injured his spine, which was first hurt during a near-fatal quad accident in 2003. The quad accident resulted in Osbourne having to get 15 screws placed in his back/spine.
Ozzy Osbourne first embarked on a farewell tour in 1992, dubbed the No More Tours Tour, after he was falsely diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He later returned to the road for the Retirement Sucks Tour in 1995.
Ozzy Previously Revealed He “Can’t Walk Much Now”
The 74-year-old hitmaker was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003, adding to his ongoing health issues, which ultimately forced him off the road.
Ozzy Osbourne recently opened up about his illness during an interview on Ozzy’s Boneyard on his SiriusXM channel, saying that he “just can’t [expletive] walk much now.”
“It’s so [expletive] tough because, I mean, I want to be out there,” he continued. “I want to be doing it. This [expletive back] surgery this guy did – [expletive] you have no idea. The thing is my head is alright. My creativity is okay. My singing is okay. But I just can’t [expletive] walk much now. I can’t begin to tell you how [expletive] frustrating life has become. It’s 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.”
“That surgeon told me if I didn’t have the surgery there would be a good chance I would be paralyzed from the neck down,” he said.
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Despite illness and injuries, Ozzy Osbourne has continued to release music. He released two successful albums in the last several years, including Ordinary Man (2020) and Patient Number 9 (2022).
See below for the full list of Ozzy Osbourne’s canceled tour dates.
May 3 – Helsinki, Hartwall Arena
May 5 – Stockholm, Friends Arena
May 7 – Dortmund, Westfalenhalle
May 10 – Madrid, Wizink Arena
May 12 – Bologna, Unipol Arena
May 14 – Munich, Olympiahalle
May 17 – Budapest, Arena
May 19 – Prague, O2 Arena
May 21 – Zurich, Hallenstadion
May 24 – Hamburg, Barclaycard Arena
May 26 – Mannheim, SAP Arena
May 28 – Berlin, Mercedes-Benz Arena
May 31 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
June 2 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena
June 4 – Glasgow, SSE Hydro
June 7 – Manchester, AO Arena
June 10 – Dublin, 3Arena
June 12 – London, The O2
June 14 – Birmingham, Resorts World Arena
