Ozzy Osbourne, 76, reveals his plans to record new music in a shock move as he gears up for final ever gig with Black Sabbath amid ailing health

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

has revealed his plans to record new music in a shock move ahead of his final Black Sabbath gig.
The Black Sabbath frontman, 76, is currently preparing to play his last concert with Black Sabbath at the Back To The Beginning concert at Birmingham 's Villa Park on July 5.
Ozzy 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.
But despite his ailing health, the rocker has now revealed he will keep recording music after the goodbye gig.
Speaking to Metal Hammer magazine, Ozzy said: 'I am very blessed to say my goodbyes with the help of so many amazing musicians and friends. From the late 60s, we are probably one of the only bands where the original members are still alive and speaking with one another, as my wife says, it's an invisible bond that can't be broken.
'I still enjoy doing my own work, I also enjoy singing on other people's work. For the foreseeable future, I will keep on recording if the projects interest me, it's very important.'
Ozzy's last solo album, 2022's Patient Number 9, featured a long list of guest artists, including Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Zakk Wylde, and Pearl Jam's Mike McCready among others.
Special guests on the bill for the upcoming Black Sabbath gig include Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins' Billy Corgan, Duff McKagan and Slash of Guns 'N Roses, Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst, Korn star Jonathan Davis, and Anthrax.
It comes after Ozzy revealed a secret personal crisis ahead of what has been billed as his final ever show this summer.
With just weeks to go until the show, Ozzy has opened up on his self-confidence battle and stage fright.
Speaking on SiriusXM's podcast Ozzy Speaks, he said: 'My head's crazy. ADHD - I have that badly. I will have done the show and died a death before I even started my exercises. So I try and put it on the back burner.
'I'm not going up there saying "It's going to be great. I'm really confident."
'In my head I will have died on my ass. I remember being in f***ing Vegas one time being in the dressing room going, "I'm going to play. I'm going to die."
He continued: 'And I talked myself into blowing the gig. It was only two f***ing songs. Sharon goes, 'just don't think about it.' I obsess about a f***ing bird c***ping on my show.
'But all I can say is I'm giving 120 percent. If my God wants me to do the show. I'll do it. Sometimes if I start obsessing on the time, I'll be insane by Friday. So I'm just taking it one day at a time.'
The singer is also unsure about whether to perform while standing up, or sitting down following a series of spinal operations.
Black Sabbath 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.
Ahead of the gig, Ozzy is in strict training, which even sees his blood pressure being taken 15 times a day.
He explained: 'I have got this trainer guy who helps people get back to normal.
'It's hard going, but he's convinced that he can pull it off for me. I'm giving it everything I've got.
'It's endurance. The first thing that goes when you're laid up is your stamina.
'I am having my blood pressure taken 15 times a day.. I've got this f***ing device on my finger. 'It's a monitor to say how my heart rate is.
Earlier this month, Ozzy vowed to go ahead with the show, telling The Guardian: ' I'll be there, and I'll do the best I can. So all I can do is turn up.'
WHAT IS PARKINSON'S DISEASE AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
What is Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, according to the NHS website.
What are the symptoms?
The NHS says there are three major symptoms, including tremors or shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.
Other symptoms include problems with balance, loss of smell, nerve pain, excessive sweating and dizziness.
Some people can also experience lack of sleep, excessive production of saliva and problems swallowing, causing malnutrition and dehydration.
What are the early signs?
Symptoms can start gradually, sometimes beginning with a barely noticeable tremor in just one part of the body.
In the early stages, people may show little or no expression, and their arms may not swing when they walk.
Speech can also become soft or slurred, with the condition worsening over time.
What are the causes?
Some scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause of Parkinson's disease.
It occurs after a person experiences loss of nerve cells in a part of their brain.
However, it is not known why the loss of nerve cells associated with the condition takes place but research is ongoing to identify potential causes.
Scientists say genetics factor can increase a person's risk of developing the disease, and can therefore run in families.
Other factors attributed to causing the condition include environmental problems such as pollution, though such links are inconclusive, the NHS says.
How is it diagnosed?
No tests can conclusively show if a person has the disease, but doctors can make a diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history and a physical examination.
A specialist will ask the person to write or draw, walk or speak to check for any common signs of the condition.
They may even check for difficulty making facial expressions and slowness of limb movement.
How many people are affected?
Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson's disease in the UK, according to the charity Parkinson's UK.
What happens if someone is diagnosed?
According to the charity, it is a legal requirement to contact the DVLA, as a diagnosed person will need to have a medical or driving assessment.
The organisation also advises people to contact any insurance providers and find out about financial support available.
People are also encouraged to partake in more exercise.
Can it be treated?
Although there is no cure, a number of treatments are available to help reduce the symptoms.
The main remedies include medication, exercise, therapy and surgery, which can help people in different ways.
What medication is available and what are the side effects?
Medication can be helpful in improving the main symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as shaking and movement problems.
There are three main types which are commonly used, levodopa, dopamine agonist or a MAO-B inhibitor. Each can affect people in different ways.
The drugs do have some side effects, including impulsive and compulsive behaviour, hallucinations, sleep issues and blood pressure changes.
What therapy is available?
There are several therapies available to those with Parkinson's through the NHS.
Among them are physiotherapy to reduce muscle stiffness, occupational therapy to help with completing day-to-day tasks and speech and language coaching.
Does this change the way you live?
Most people's life expectancy will not change a great deal, though more advanced symptoms can lead to increased disability and poor health.
It can also cause some cognitive issues and changes to mood and mental health.
Those with Parkinson's are encouraged to exercise more often, with scientists saying 2.5 hours of exercise a week is enough to slow the progression of symptoms.