
Sharon Osbourne shares health update on hubby Ozzy before last Black Sabbath gig
Sharon Osbourne has given a concerning update on her husband Ozzy's health as Black Sabbath gears up for their final performance at Villa Park today.
The band, widely recognised as the pioneers of heavy metal music, could be performing for the last time due to 76 year old Ozzy's deteriorating health.
Sharon, who also manages Ozzy, had previously told him that his 2019 tour would be his swansong.
This was particularly pertinent as he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease midway through the tour.
Ozzy attributed an intermittent numbness in his leg to years of drug abuse and excessive drinking, reports Birmingham Live.
The European leg of the tour was postponed to allow Ozzy to recuperate at home. However, disaster struck when Ozzy "stupidly" decided to try "diving into bed".
The rockstar hadn't turned his light on and mistakenly thought he knew where his bed was, resulting in him crashing onto the floor.
According to Sharon, this accident exacerbated an old quadbike injury that Ozzy sustained in 2003.
He was rushed to intensive care and informed that he would need surgery or risk becoming paraplegic.
Ozzy described it as the "worst f***ing surgery you can imagine" and now regrets not seeking a second opinion on his injuries.
The operation involved placing two metal plates on either side of Ozzy's spine, but the screws soon became loose, causing lesions and bone fragments.
"They still haven't found out the damage, it's so intricate," Sharon Osbourne revealed about her husband Ozzy's health struggles. She shared that they found another surgeon who worked to remove all of the metal from Ozzy's spine.
She continued: "Five operations later, it just f***ed his body. It was torturous for him: Parkinson's and damage to his spine. It's just been horrendous."
Despite his health issues, Ozzy has remained active in his career. He released the critically-acclaimed album Ordinary Man in 2020 and followed it up with Patient Number 9 in 2022.
In 2022, he performed at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham alongside his Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi. However, the legendary frontman had to have a bracket supporting his back throughout the performance.
Known for his wild on-stage antics, including biting the head off a bat, Ozzy admitted he was at his lowest, "praying to die in his sleep" when Sharon suggested reuniting the original Sabbath line-up for a final gig. She also wanted to bring together bands that had been inspired by them.
Ozzy and Tony formed Black Sabbath along with drummer Bill Ward and bassist Geezer Butler in 1968. Some of the biggest names in rock, including Guns 'n' Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slayer, Alice in Chains, and Van Halen, signed up to play the gig, having been inspired by Sabbath.
With Metallica, Rage Against the Machine and members of Judas Priest joining the billing, the all-day show has been hailed by some as the greatest ever heavy metal line-up of all time.
When discussing their upcoming performance, Sabbath members had mixed expectations. Tony Iommi joked that Ozzy Osbourne will probably be "sitting on a throne," while Ozzy himself predicted it might just be a "couple of songs" from both the band and his solo ventures.
Ozzy admitted, while he's tempted to use the phrase "never say never", this concert signifies the curtain call for a career that has stretched over fifty years of touring. Sharon Osbourne added lightheartedly that the couple plans to "get some ponies and chickens" and settle into a peaceful retirement in their Buckinghamshire home post-tour.
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Powys County Times
11 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Ozzy Osbourne dies at the age of 76, family announces
Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76, his family has announced. A statement from his family said: 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.' It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and… — Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) July 22, 2025 He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. As frontman of Black Sabbath, he was at the forefront of the heavy metal scene – a deeper, darker offshoot of hard rock. His theatrical stage presence, including once biting off the head of a bat, and styling himself as the Prince of Darkness marked him out as a controversial figure. Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, he left school at 15 and did odd jobs including factory work before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands. Earlier this month he bid a farewell to fans with a Black Sabbath reunion, telling thousands of heavy metal enthusiasts at Villa Park, Birmingham – a stone's throw from where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 – that it was 'so good to be on this stage' as he performed his last set from a large black throne. Osbourne and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert. Also among the bands performing were Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses, and there were messages of thanks from other celebrities, including Jack Black, Ricky Gervais and Dolly Parton. 'It's taken us 57 years to get to the Villa, we made it. Back to the Beginning.' – Ozzy Osbourne — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) July 4, 2025 Black Sabbath's eponymous debut album in 1970 made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit records. They went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. The group were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, and Osbourne was added for a second time last year. He rose to further fame alongside his wife Sharon – whom he married in 1982 and with whom he has three children, Aimee, Jack and Kelly – through their MTV reality TV series The Osbournes. In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and he paused touring in 2023 after extensive spinal surgery. He had a fall at home in 2019 which aggravated injuries from a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003, stopping his No More Tours 2 shows from going ahead in Europe and the UK. The tour had previously been rescheduled several times because of illness, the Covid-19 pandemic and logistical issues. — Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) July 21, 2025 He told US morning show Good Morning America in January 2020 that it was discovered he had the neurodegenerative disorder after a fall. He said: 'I did my last show New Year's Eve at The Forum. Then I had a bad fall. I had to have surgery on my neck, which screwed all my nerves and I found out that I have a mild form.' He and wife Sharon, who was also his manager, met when she was 18 and they married on July 4 1982 in Hawaii. Daughter Kelly, 40, duetted with her father on the UK number one single Changes in 2003. He released his twelfth studio album Ordinary Man in 2020, followed by Patient Number 9 in 2022, which went to number three and two in the UK charts respectively.


Daily Record
11 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Ozzy Osbourne tributes as Rod Stewart and Elton John remember Black Sabbath frontman
Sports stars and influencers also paid their respects, as did an animal charity. Music legend Elton John described Ozzy Osbourne as a "dear friend" tonight - as the showbiz world came to terms with the frontman's shock death. Black Sabbath singer Ozzy, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, died just weeks after a phenomenal farewell gig at his beloved Villa Park in Birmingham. And Sir Rod Stewart also took to social media while defiantly accepting his own journey towards the exit door, saying he and Ozzy will be reunited for a gig in the sky. Singer-songwriter Sir Elton, 78, posted on Instagram: "So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away. He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods - a true legend. "He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx." Crooner Sir Rod, 80, who recently performed at Glastonbury, also posted on Instagram. He said: "Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I'll see you up there - later rather than sooner." Former boxing world champion Frank Bruno MBE wrote: "RIP Ozzy Osbourne. We met several times years ago. He called me "Big man" when he asked me if I liked Rock music. "I said "Soul & Reggae was my thing". He said "Give me a day big man and you will love Rock music". A character, a funny man and a legend who we will not see the likes of ever again." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Flavor Flav posted pics of him and Ozzy and the Public Enemy rapper, who has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, told of his heartache at his compatriot's passing. He wrote on "Real heart broken over the passing of Ozzy Osbourne. We go way back and it was a real honor to watch him get inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year." Alongside a throwback pic and a more recent snap of them together, he added: "Sending my love and prayers to Sharon and his kids and whole family. RIP." The black and white picture, which showed them both making the peace sign, had been posted on Ozzy's official Facebook page - which has 12 million followers - back in 2017. American music, politics and popular culture publication Rolling Stone referred to Ozzy as "the singular metal legend whose Black Sabbath virtually invented heavy metal and in later years became a reality TV pioneer". Former Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore Tweeted a picture of fans at Villa Park with an Ozzy display saying 'Up the Villa'. The post read: "Rest in peace, Ozzy." Welsh YouTube prankster Ben Phillips said on Facebook: "It is heartbreaking to hear that the great Ozzy Osbourne has passed away at 76 years of age." The social media star, who has more than 4.5million subscribers on the video platform, added: "Farewell Ozzy Osbourne: The Prince of Darkness Has Left Us – The End of an Era in Rock Music." And Lisa Lange, Senior Vice President of animal charity PETA, said tonight: " Ozzy Osbourne was a legend and a provocateur, but PETA will remember the 'Prince of Darkness' most fondly for the gentle side he showed to animals. "Most recently cats, by using his fame to decry painful, crippling declawing mutilations. Ozzy may have been the singer, but his wife, Sharon, and his daughter, Kelly, were of one voice when it meant protecting animals. "Ozzy will be missed by animal advocates the world over." Ozzy famously bit the head off a live bat on stage during a gig - while performing at Des Moines, Iowa, in 1982 - believing it to be rubber after it had been thrown on stage. Real name John Michael Osbourne, Ozzy released 22 studio albums between 1970 and 2022 - nine with Black Sabbath, and 13 solo albums, with the last in 2022.


STV News
11 minutes ago
- STV News
Sir Elton John says Ozzy Osbourne was ‘in the pantheon of rock gods'
Sir Elton John said that Ozzy Osbourne was a 'huge trailblazer' who 'secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods'. He joined Rolling Stones legend Ronnie Wood and other famous faces in paying tribute to the Black Sabbath singer after his death on Tuesday. Sir Elton posted on Instagram: 'So sad to hear the news of Ozzy Osbourne passing away. 'He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend. 'He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love. Elton xx.' Wood joined Osbourne and Black Sabbath's last gig at Villa Park earlier this month. He posted on X: 'I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne. 'What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.' I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne 💔🙏 What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham🙏☀️❤️🎤 — Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) July 22, 2025 A post on Metallica's social media accounts showed a heartbreak emoji as well as a picture of the band members with Osbourne. Meanwhile, Justice Secretary and Birmingham Ladywood MP Shabana Mahmood said she was among those who celebrated Osbourne's life and legacy just weeks ago. She wrote on X: 'Devastated to hear the news of his death today. One of the greatest gifts my city gave the world. 'My thoughts are with his family. 'In Ozzy's own words: Birmingham forever.' STV News is now on WhatsApp Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News