“I Ain’t Gonna Stop,” Ozzy Osbourne Says As He Prepares To Return To Stage After Health Woes
Despite his health issues, Ozzy Osbourne is not giving up on live performances.
The 74-year-old singer told Yahoo Entertainment this week that he does not intend to let his recent health concerns delay his upcoming spring/summer 2023 tour. According to the singer, he cannot wait to get back on stage as he finds his time away difficult.
“I just wanna get back on that stage. I’ve gotta get back on that stage. It’s driving me nuts, not being able to. I can’t relax. I’ve always gotta be doing something,” he said.
For the rocker who recently celebrated his birthday on December 3, permanently quitting live performance is not an option, as he said a long break is as close as he can get to not performing. “I mean, I could say, let’s call it a day, but I can’t stop. There’s nothing like a good gig, and there’s nothing like a bad gig — because a bad gig makes you wanna do a good gig, better than before! A great gig is better than any sex or drug. There’s nothing to compare it to,” he revealed.
After a 2019 fall, the Black Sabbath singer, who had a neck and back injury, had to undergo two additional procedures. He was then diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and now has to fall back on cane support.
“I can remember when I was 69 and thinking, ‘I wonder when I’ll start to feel old, when I’ll start to feel everything?’ And suddenly, when I turned 70, the floodgates opened. It was one thing after the other,” he shared with Yahoo adding that this is the longest time he has been sick.
Despite his challenges, he will go on a performance stretch that will go on for 19 days, starting in May and ending in June. Starting from Finland, Ozzy will visit other places from London to Spain to Germany. He looks forward to his stints as he says the live stage is where he belongs. According to him, his relationship with his audience is the most important to him.
“It’s not a job, what I do. It’s a passion. I don’t have to get up at 7 in the morning to trudge through the day to go to work. It’s a pretty good life,” he explained.
Hence, the father of three and grandfather is determined to get back on stage despite the difficulties. “I am determined to get back on stage even if I have to be nailed to a board and wheeled on. Survival is my legacy,” he stated.
