OZZY OSBOURNE CONFIRMS HIS RETIREMENT FROM TOURING.

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Oran

Ozzy Osbourne has today, officially ended all speculation of him honouring his multiple-postponed EU/UK dates with Judas Priest, with a statement that sees him indefinitely retiring from touring every again. 

Ozzy Osbourne 2022 – Pic by Ross Halfin

NO MORE TOURS II, Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell tour that first began in 2018 as a send-off to his days as a world-touring musician, never happened, and as of today, the Prince of Darkness announces that he physically not be able to tour…ever again.

In 2019, the European leg of the tour was postponed after he injured himself in a fall at home that aggravated a spinal injury he initially suffered during a nearly fatal quad-bike accident in 2003, resulting in 15 screws being placed in his back.

But then those postponed dates were pushed back by more health complications and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the remaining tour dates, scheduled for May 2023, have been scrapped completely as the Prince of Darkness announces his retirement from touring.

“This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans,” Osbourne wrote in a statement shared across his social accounts. “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.”

The musician shared that he is “humbled” by his fanbase’s decision to hold onto their No More Tours II tickets for nearly four years, despite the uncertainty around when he would actually return to the road, if at all. “But in all good conscience, I have now come to the realisation 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 explained. “Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know.”

Osbourne first embarked on a farewell tour back in 1992 – the No More Tours tour – after being misdiagnosed with multiple sclerosis. But he soon changed his mind and was back on the road within three years for the Retirement Sucks tour. Then, in early 2003, the musician was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, further complicating his ongoing health problems. And with that, his decades-long journey as a touring musician now comes to an end.

All existing tickets are eligible for a full refund from the original vendor.

Oran O’Beirne

www.overdrive.ie 2023