Ozzy Osbourne, 76, insists he WILL perform at his final concert despite concerns about his ailing health

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By NIOMI HARRIS FOR MAILONLINE

Ozzy Osbourne has insisted that he will perform at what is being billed at his final concert in July, despite concerns about his ailing health.  

The rock legend, 76, has undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal operation in September 2023, and has been privately battling Parkinson’s disease since 2003. 

However, despite being plagued by a string of health issues, Ozzy defiantly told The Guardian: ‘I’ll be there, and I’ll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up.’

He is tipped to join the original line-up of Black Sabbath for the first time in 20 years as the take to the stage at their beloved Villa Park in Birmingham at a gig titled Back to the Beginning.

The Paranoid hitmakers will be joined by stellar line-up of metal acts including Metallica, Slayer, Alice In Chains and Anthrax, with the concert raising funds for three charities. 

Despite Ozzy’s insistence, Tool front man Maynard James Keenan has expressed his doubts about whether the rocker will actually make it.

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Ozzy Osbourne has insisted that he will perform at what is being billed at his final concert in July, despite concerns about his ailing health [pictured in 2022]

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The rock legend, 76, has undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal operation in September 2023, and has been privately battling Parkinson’s disease since 2003 [pictured in 2023]

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He is tipped to join the original line-up of Black Sabbath for the first time in 20 years as the take to the stage at their beloved Villa Park in Birmingham at a gig titled Back to the Beginning [L-R: (back) Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, (front) Bill Ward, Ozzy in 1973]

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He said of the gigs, which his band are also playing: ‘I’m cautious about saying, “Yeah! All in, he’s gonna do it”. I don’t know what kind of modern miracles we’ll come up with to get him on stage to do the songs, but this is gonna be a challenge for them. So, I’m honoured to be a part of it, but I’m kinda preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.’

But Ozzy is well aware of the toll that the concert will take and has been physically and mentally preparing himself for it, with his wife Sharon Osbourne noting that the gig is a ‘reason to get up in the morning’.

Explaining his preparation, he shared: ‘I do weights, bike riding, I’ve got a guy living at my house who’s working with me. 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.’

The singer has also enlisted a vocal coach to ensure his voice is up to scratch for the big day.

Despite his enthusiasm, Ozzy admitted that he won’t be very active on stage and ‘may be sitting down’ as he noted further health problems including problems with walking and blood clots on his legs that lead to blood pressure issues. 

Back in 2020, Ozzy candidly spoke about his health, admitting he is in ‘unbelievable pain 24/7’. 

The rocker who had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the time, says a nasty fall in 2019 aggravated a neck injury from his 2003 quad bike accident. 

At the time, Ozzy said the crippling nerve damage is the reason why he made the decision to call off his North American leg of his No More Tours 2 tour, so he could seek further treatment in Switzerland. 

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However, despite being plagued by a string of health issues, Ozzy defiantly told The Guardian : ‘I’ll be there, and I’ll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up’

+10

View gallery

Despite Ozzy’s insistence, Tool front man Maynard James Keenan has expressed his doubts about whether the rocker will actually make it [pictured in 2018]

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View gallery

Ozzy is well aware of the toll that the concert will take and has been preparing himself for it, with his wife Sharon Osbourne noting that the gig is a ‘reason to get up in the morning’

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‘If I had a choice between the Parkinson’s and the f***ing neck, I’d go for the Parkinson’s, I’ve been laid up for a year now’, Ozzy told The Sun. 

‘First I had an infection in my hand — that pulled me off the road — then I got pneumonia, then I had the fall, then I had surgery and here I am today, it’s driving me nuts.’ 

His upcoming 2025 concert was first announced back in February with Ozzy’s wife Sharon and the band’s guitarist Tony Iommi at the big reveal at the concert’s venue, Villa Park.

The show will take place on July 5 at the birthplace of the band and will feature Ozzy, Tommy, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward.

The group pioneered heavy metal music in the early 1970s with hits such as War Pigs, Paranoid and Iron Man.

Since their last gig together in 2005, Black Sabbath has played in partial reunions but never in their original line-up. 

Top a line-up of rock and heavy metal icons will include sets from the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, Gojira, Halestorm and Mastodon. 

The all-day event will also feature a supergroup of musicians. 

Artists announced so far include Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David Draiman (Disturbed), Duff McKagan, Frank Bello (Anthrax), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis (Korn), KK Downing and Lzzy Hale (Halestorm).

“I’m trying but…”: Ozzy Osbourne shares health update

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The show was first announced back in February with Ozzy’s wife Sharon and the band’s guitarist Tony Iommi at the big reveal at the concert’s venue, Villa Park 

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View gallery

Since their last gig together in 2005, Black Sabbath has played in partial reunions but never in their original line-up

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View gallery

The group pioneered heavy metal music in the early 1970s with hits such as War Pigs, Paranoid and Iron Man

Profits from the show, called Back To The Beginning, will be shared equally between the following charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice, a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa. 

Osbourne, the group’s charismatic frontman who left the band in 1979 due to drug and alcohol problems and went on to pursue a highly successful solo career, said in 2020 he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The all-star event will celebrate the true creators of heavy metal and will see Ozzy Osbourne play his own short set before joining with Black Sabbath for his final bow. 

He said in a statement: ‘It’s … time for me to give back to the place where I was born. How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal.’

Formed in Birmingham in 1968 and going on to become one of most successful metal bands of all time, Black Sabbath have sold over 75 million albums worldwide across their legendary career. 

Setting the blueprint for the many routes heavy metal took, Black Sabbath’s influence and importance is as vital today as it was in the early 1970s.