In a recent interview with The Mirror, Ozzy Osbourne stated unequivocally that, despite any health concerns, he will never retire. Well, actually, what he said was, “You know the time when I will retire? When I can hear them nail a lid on my box. And then I’ll f***ing do an encore. I’m the Prince of Darkness.”
Since revealing his Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis back in January, the former Black Sabbath frontman has been dogged with questions as to whether he will ever return to the stage. Prior to the medical revelation, Osbourne spent most of 2019 postponing dates on his No More Tours 2 run, long before COVID-19 made the practice standard in the music industry. Now with the global pandemic still going strong, and the Ozman approaching his 72nd birthday, many have wondered aloud if he will ever perform again.
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Luckily, Osbourne spoke to The Mirror to quell these rumors, as well as give optimistic updates on his health, and much more in the wide-ranging interview. Osbourne, for one, can’t wait to return to the stage.
“When you feel that audience jumping, it’s a better feeling than orgasm. It is the best love affair of my life,” Osbourne said. “The party is on, man. I feel honoured people still want to see me.”
Ever the optimist, Osbourne finds ways to look on the bright side even in his situation.
“To be Ozzy Osbourne it could be worse… I could be Sting.”
On a more serious note, Ozzy also discussed the initial shock from the diagnosis as well as how he and his family moved forward.
“Well the one questions from me was, ‘Is it a terminal illness?’, and the guy says, ‘No, but life is’,” Osbourne said. “It’s just another thing on my plate I have got to deal with. I’m not in the slightest worried about it.”
His faithful wife, Sharon Osbourne who has been by his side for nearly 40 years and has steered him through plenty of other crises, added her own sentiment.
“Why should it be a dirty little secret?” She admitted Ozzy’s walk has become problematic, but said, “He’s always had a funny walk so f*** it, you know? Let’s make nothing different. No pity, he doesn’t need pity. He just needs a stage.”
“He may not be able to run up and down like he used to on stage, but it’s still about the voice and he’s still a funny f***er,” she said.
Despite Osbourne’s sustained absence from the stage, he has still been putting in work at the studio. Earlier this year, he released Ordinary Man which debuted at number 3 on the Billboard 200, marking his eighth top 10 album as a solo artist. Last month, Sharon also confirmed that Ozzy is back in the studio working with producer Andrew Watt.
“The best medication I’ve had in a long time,” Ozzy said of Ordinary Man. “Doing the record saved my life. I’m just a very fortunate man to be still here talking to you about my life. Life goes on. Right now, right here, today. I’m f***ing great.”
Read the full interview with The Mirror here. The conversation is also set to air on United States TV next month.
[H/TÂ The Mirror]