Ozzy Osbourne may have taken his final bow on stage, but those close to the Black Sabbath legend say he is not ready to leave music behind because of a painful memory that still plays on his mind.
The 76-year-old delivered a thunderous farewell performance at Birmingham’s Villa Park on Saturday night, reuniting with original bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for one last show.
Despite the emotional sendoff and a catalogue of serious health issues, including a Parkinson’s diagnosis and seven surgeries in the past five years, the most recent being a fourth spinal operation in 2023, insiders say the Crazy Train hitmaker is already exploring ways to stay involved in music even if he is no longer able to tour.
Beyond music being in his DNA, those close to the rock icon say he is haunted by what happened to his late father after retirement, and that it has deeply shaped his own view of stepping back.
One of the star’s closest friends said Ozzy “always thinks about his dad when it comes to retirement”, explaining that his father died just days after giving up work.
“I would not be surprised if, knowing Ozzy, he did something around a stage again,” they told The Mirror.
“Oz has made it clear many many times that he does not want to simply retire and stop making music or feeling the love from live audiences.
“He feels he will wither away and pass if he stops altogether. His biggest worry, and he has said this often, is that the same thing will happen to him as it did to his father. That haunts him.”
They added: “Working is what keeps Ozzy going. It is in his DNA.”
Outside of music, Osbourne has recently found other ways to keep himself busy and keep the money rolling in, including selling his own DNA.
eaming up with a drinks brand, he released ten limited edition iced tea cans, each sipped by the Prince of Darkness himself before being resealed and sold for 335 pounds apiece. There was clearly demand, as the unusual items sold out quickly.
Last month, he also announced a Where’s Wally style book titled Where is Ozzy?, inspired by the music and milestones of his solo career.
