“It is time.”
So says Ozzy Osbourne about taking his final bow when he reunites with Black Sabbarth for the band’s final-ever concert in the singer’s hometown of Birmingham, England on July 5.
“I’d love to say ‘never say never’, but after the last six years or so … it is time,” Osbourne, 76, told The Guardian. “I lived on the road for 50-odd years, and I’ve kind of got used to not picking up my bags and getting on the bus again.
“I don’t smoke dope or do any of the rock star lifestyle any more. I’m kind of like a homebody. I never go out. I never hang out in bars – I don’t drink. So what the f–k is out there for me?” he continued. “It’s time for me to spend some time with my grandkids, I don’t want to die in a hotel room somewhere. I want to spend the rest of my life with my family.”
Osbourne’s manager wife, Sharon Osbourne, supports her husband’s decision to hang up his mic.
“It’s time to say ‘enough,’” she told The Guardian. “When you’ve given it your all, you can sit back and say: I did it.”
Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” event will mark the first time the original lineup has performed together in 20 years. And the heavy metal legends will be joined by other artists they influenced, including Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and members of Judas Priest, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megadeth and Soundgarden. Meanwhile, Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello will serve as musical director.
The show will raise money for three charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Birmingham-based Acorn Children’s Hospice.
Osbourne — who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist last October following his first enshrinement with Black Sabbath in 2006 — has struggled with health issues in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease and a debilitating spinal injury.
But the Prince of Darkness is working to go out with a bang with Black Sabbath, although he cautions that he won’t be performing a full set.
“I do weights, bike riding, I’ve got a guy living at my house who’s working with me,” Osbourne told The Garden. “It’s tough – I’ve been laid up for such a long time. I’ve been lying on my back doing nothing and the first thing to go is your strength. It’s like starting all over again. I’ve got a vocal coach coming round four days a week to keep my voice going. I have problems walking. I also get blood pressure issues, from blood clots on my legs.
“I’m used to doing two hours on stage, jumping and running around,” he continued. “I don’t think I’ll be doing much jumping or running around this time. I may be sitting down, but the point is I’ll be there, and I’ll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up.”
