He bowed out with a massive gig at his beloved Villa Park this weekend but pals reckon Ozzy won’t stop making music amid fears he’ll die if he retires
Ozzy Osbourne is plotting to continue working despite his huge Birmingham gig being declared his farewell night, a pal has revealed. The Black Sabbath frontman has told friends he sees a future for him in the music industry even though the Back To The Beginning gig at Villa Park was promoted as the Brummie’s career finale.
The 76-year-old cannot see himself retiring despite his neck, back and Parkinson’s issues – because of what happened to his dad when he retired.
One friend – who has known Ozzy for several decades – said he “always thinks about his dad when it comes to retirement” because his father died just a few days after giving up work.
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Already, Ozzy is said to be secretly plotting a new album for later in the year and is hoping to reunite with award-winning producer Andrew Watt. His old friend teased: “I would not be surprised if, knowing Ozzy, he would do something around a stage to promote that.
“Oz has made it clear many many times that he doesn’t want to simply retire and stop making music or feeling the love from live audiences.
“He feels that he will wither away and pass if he stops altogether. His biggest worry – and he has said this often – is that the same thing happens to him as his father. That haunts him.
“He has told us many times about how his father told him, ‘I have always wanted to dig the garden’. Ozzy then revealed he dug up the garden and died. Working is what keeps Ozzy going.
“There is a sense that he needs to be in the spotlight no matter how challenging his medical conditions. He loves the buzz of getting love from his fans – it’s in his DNA.”
That insight comes as the self-styled Prince Of Darkness wowed fans after reuniting with the original Black Sabbath members for the first time in 20 years at the weekend, also performing five solo songs during his star-studded Back To The Beginning.
The supershow included sets from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer and Tool. Ozzy belted out solo hits including Mr Crowley, Mama I’m Coming Home and Crazy Train plus War Pigs, Iron Man and Paranoid with Black Sabbath, as the fans went wild.
He was sent a video message from Sir Elton John, played out on the giant screens, in which he told Ozzy: “You are one of the most remarkable singers of our time. You are the king, you are the legend. You’ve been through so much crap in the last few years – I hope this is the best day of your life so far.”
Fans saw the reality of Ozzy’s medical woes as he performed on stage while seated on a winged throne. He had spent months working with physios and trainers to be able to stand fully, but “just could not make it.”
Speaking a few months ago, the rocker said he was struggling to walk more than a few feet unaided, explaining: “I am 70 f***ing six and even being over 70 is f***ing doing my brains in.”
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