The year 2023 has proven to be another challenging chapter in the life of former Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne due to his severe health challenges. In February, he faced the difficult decision to cancel his long-awaited No More Tours 2 run and subsequently retire from touring. In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, the heavy metal singer provided an encouraging update on his health. Having undergone what he referred to as his final surgery in September, Osbourne revealed that he is now looking ahead with optimism.
“I’ve had all the surgery now, thank god. I’m feeling okay – it was just dragging on. I thought I’d be back on my feet months ago, I just couldn’t get used to this mode of living, constantly having something wrong,” he admitted. “I can’t walk properly yet, but I’m not in any pain anymore, and the surgery on my spine went great.”
Ozzy Osbourne announces plans for a new album in 2024
The Prince of Darkness also unveiled his exciting plans to embark on the recording of a brand-new album and possibly resume touring. “I’m getting myself fit,” Osbourne confessed to Metal Hammer. “I’ve done two albums fairly recently [2020’s Ordinary Man and 2022’s Patient Number 9, both produced by Andrew Watt], but I want to do one more album and then go back on the road.”
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Osbourne also disclosed his intention not to rush the production of the new project. “I’m just starting to work on it now, and we’ll be recording in the early part of next year,” he explained. “I want to take my time with this one!”
He advises fans to keep their expectations about him modest
Osbourne candidly shared that, despite his notable improvement in health, he remains cautious about making definite commitments at this stage. “If I can’t do the gig, I don’t really want to be there,” Osbourne admitted. “Plus, I know they’ll just be like, ‘go on, get Ozzy up!’”
He also discussed the emotional pain he experienced due to his inability to attend the premiere of the Black Sabbath ballet—an event which held deep personal significance for him, as it brought together not only his former bandmates, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler, but also his beloved wife, Sharon Osbourne. “I’d have given my eyeteeth to go and watch it with her in Birmingham,” he said. “It’s just too early though, so I can’t travel.”