Tour was scheduled for later this year
Ozzy Osbourne has canceled his No More Tours 2 2023 European and UK tour dates. The Prince of Darkness was initially scheduled to hit European markets with Judas Priest in January 2022, after being postponed numerous times since its initially planned 2019 run, but pushed it back by another year and a half due to the pandemic. However, late Tuesday night (Jan 31st), Osbourne shared that his health has forced him to cancel the trek altogether and retire from touring.
“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 shares.
“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.
“I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required. Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know.
“Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way. My team is currently coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.
“I want to thank my family……my band…….my crew……my longtime friends, Judas Priest, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have.
“I love you all…”
Ticket refunds are available at point of purchase.
Osbourne has faced numerous health issues in the past several years, including surgery from an injury he suffered after contracting pneumonia in 2019. That same year he suffered an accident at home that caused the metal supports in his body to get dislodged, nearly becoming paralyzed. In January 2020, he announced he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003 and is taking medication for tremors which can cause short-term memory loss. Last spring, he fell ill with COVID.
Despite his condition, he’s managed to pull several one-off appearances. 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, 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.”
Last month, Osbourne hit a career high with his first-ever career back-to-back No. 1 rock radio singles from his hugely successful and critically acclaimed Patient Number 9 album via Epic Records. On December 12th, the album’s “One of Those Days,” featuring Eric Clapton, reached No. 1 on the Mediabase rock radio charts. It follows a No. 1 slot for the album’s first single and title track, “Patient Number 9,” featuring the late Jeff Beck.
Patient Number 9 triumphantly sets new career highs for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy-winning singer and songwriter. The critically acclaimed album has topped his previous chart entries with record-breaking numbers around the world. In the US, the album debuted at No. 1 on multiple charts: Top Album Sales (Ozzy’s first No. 1 ever on this chart), Top Current Album Sales (another first), Top Rock & Alternative Albums, Top Rock Albums, Top Hard Rock Albums, Top Vinyl Albums and Tastemaker Albums charts; and at No. 3 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart. Globally, the album charted at #1 in Canada (Ozzy’s first-ever No. 1 there); career high No. 2 entries in the UK, Australia, Finland and Italy; No. 6 in the Netherlands and New Zealand; No. 8 in Belgium; and No. 14 France. Other highlights include No. 2 Austria, Germany and Sweden; No. 3 in Switzerland; and No. 4 in Norway.