Photo Credit: Focka / Daniel Zappe / CC by 2.0
Ozzy Osbourne retires from touring forever: “I’m not physically capable (…) as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required.”
Ozzy Osbourne has announced on Twitter that despite multiple operations, treatments, and physical therapy, he is no longer physically capable of touring. As a result, he’s canceled his upcoming European tour dates with ticket refunds available at the point of purchase.
“This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans,” Ozzy’s tweet begins. “As you may all know, four years ago this month, I had a major accident where I damaged my spine.”
“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,” he explains.
“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,” Ozzy continues.
“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,” he concludes, before thanking his family, band, crew, tour mates Judas Priest, and his fans for “their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have.”
Refunds for tickets are available at the point of purchase. The tour has been rescheduled several times due to unforeseen circumstances; it was initially scheduled for 2019 before Ozzy came down with a respiratory infection and was rescheduled for 2020. Unfortunately, the tour had to be postponed again due to the pandemic.
Ozzy has contemplated giving up touring in the past, stating that even if he did stop touring, he was “still going to be doing gigs.” Now that he’s physically unable to keep touring due to the amount of traveling involved, the legendary rocker will likely find a way to keep doing gigs, even if in a limited capacity.