Event is set for fall 2023
Ozzy Osbourne is no longer performing at the inaugural Power Trip this fall. The Prince of Darkness shared the news on Monday (July 10th), citing continuing health problems as his reason for bowing out.
“As painful as this is, I’ve had to make the decision to bow out of performing on Power Trip in October,” the goth rocker shares.
“My original plan was to return to the stage in the summer of 2024, and when the offer to do this show came in, I optimistically moved forward.
“Unfortunately, my body is telling me that I’m just not ready yet and I am much too proud to have the first show that I do in nearly five years be half-assed.
“The band that will be replacing me on Power Trip will be announced shortly. They are personal friends of mine and I can promise that you will not be disappointed.
“Above all, I want to thank my fans, my band, and my crew for their unconditional loyalty and continual support.
“I love you all and I will see you soon.”
Osbourne was supposed to headline night two of the three day event alongside AC/DC in October at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA. The festival is a three-day historic event set for October 6, 7 and 8 with Guns N’ Roses and Iron Maiden opening on Friday, October 6th and Metallica and Tool closing on Sunday, October 8th.
Osbourne has been battling a barrage of health issues over the years, including surgery from an injury he suffered after contracting pneumonia in 2019, a Parkinson’s diagnosis and other ailments. In January, Osbourne was forced to cancel the European and UK leg of his No More Tours 2 2023 and his retirement from touring due to his declining health.
“This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans. As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine,” Osbourne shared at the time. “My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage. My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.”
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi confirmed that the legendary group turned down an appearance at Power Trip, due to concerns over Ozzy’s health.
“It’s hard because Ozzy [Osbourne]’s been going through a lot of stuff lately. He’s in hospital and out of hospital, and he’s really been fighting it. He really wants to get out there. But in my mind, it’s very difficult to sort of say yes. I’ve gotta think of the people in the band as well. I’ve gotta think of Ozzy, if he’s gonna be all right to do a show and whatever. So I wasn’t that comfortable with it,” Iommi tells Eddie Trunk on a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk.
“I didn’t know Ozzy would be doing it on his own,” Iommi admits laughing. “But it’s great. I hope he can do it and that it’ll be really good. He really wants to do it. And he’s really trying to pull to get himself back. He’s had to go through such a lot of hard stuff lately. It’s such a shame, really. But he’s still fighting there.”
Despite his condition, he’s managed to pull several one-off appearances over the past year. His latest was in September during the halftime show for the Los Angeles Rams season opener at SoFi Stadium. Osbourne was joined by longtime band members Zakk Wylde and Tommy Clufetos, along with Jane’s Addiction’s Chris Chaney and Patient Number 9 producer Andrew Watt for a medley of “Patient Number 9,” along with his legendary classic and popular sports anthem, “Crazy Train.” That performance was released in its entirety after NBC aired only 10 seconds on TV.
In August 2022, Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi for a surprise performance during the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games. Iommi began with a truncated version of Sabbath’s 1971 classic single, “Iron Man” before Osbourne rose from the stage and launched into “Paranoid.”
