So, Ozzy Osbourne recently popped up on his SiriusXM show Ozzy Speaks (because of course he has his own radio show) with co-host Billy Morrison to chat about his latest gig: not dying. The Prince of Darkness spilled the tea on his “heavy training” for the upcoming ‘Back To The Beginning’ concert in Birmingham this July. “I’m in heavy training for this… I haven’t done anything for—this will be seven years [since I played a full concert],” he said, adding, “It really is like starting from scratch.” For context, Ozzy’s last full show was when TikTok was just a clock sound.
When asked about his workout routine, Ozzy deadpanned: “Endurance training. I’m doing two sets of three-minute walks a day and weight training.” Let that sink in—three whole minutes. Twice. (Fun fact: Tony Iommi of BLACK SABBATH once crafted fake fingertips from a soap bottle after losing fingertips in a factory accident. Dude’s basically a metal MacGyver.)
Ozzy, who’s had more surgeries than a reality TV star, admitted, “I’m waking up in my body. Three minutes to you is nothing, but I’ve been laying on my back recovering from umpteen surgeries.” Classic Ozzy—turning spinal fusion into a punchline.
Now, the big news: BLACK SABBATH’s original lineup—Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—are reuniting for the first time in 20 years on July 5. Joining them? A who’s-who of bands they inspired: METALLICA (James Hetfield’s mustache alone could headline), SLAYER (back from retirement for one more “Angel of Death” scream), LAMB OF GOD, MASTODON (because every metal fest needs a prog-metal walrus reference), PANTERA (R.I.P. Dimebag), and ANTHRAX. Ozzy clarified, “I’m not planning on doing a set with BLACK SABBATH but I am doing little bits and pieces with them.” Translation: He’ll probably show up, growl “ALL RIGHT NOW!” and vanish in a puff of bat-head smoke.
The 76-year-old legend, who’s been battling Parkinson’s, joked, “I’m trying to get back on my feet… I have to balance myself, but I’m not dead. I’m still actively doing things.” His wife Sharon Osbourne, ever the hype-woman, told The Sun: “His voice is as good as ever. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease… but his voice? Still shreds.”
Ozzy’s also been philosophizing: “I’ve made it to 2025. I can’t walk, but… I’m still alive. I look down the road and there’s people that didn’t do half as much as me and didn’t make it.” Deep thoughts with Ozzy Osbourne, everyone.
The Birmingham gig isn’t just a nostalgia trip—proceeds go to Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice. Oh, and there’s a “supergroup” playing too: Duff McKagan and Slash (GUNS ‘N’ ROSES, because why not?), Billy Corgan (THE SMASHING PUMPKINS—yes, the guy who wrote “1979” is covering “Iron Man”), Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT, because nu-metal never dies), K.K. Downing (JUDAS PRIEST’s original axeman), Jake E. Lee (Ozzy’s ’80s guitarist), Wolfgang Van Halen (VAN HALEN/MAMMOTH WVH), and Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, who’ll probably turn “War Pigs” into a 10-minute solo). Sharon called it an “endless amount of people,” which sounds less like a concert and more like a metal-themed Avengers movie.
This’ll be Ozzy’s “full stop” on touring, per Sharon. After spinal surgeries, COVID, and a quad-bike accident that left him with more hardware than a Home Depot, he’s ready to bow out. But hey, he’s still got that voice—and a killer guest list. As Sharon told the BBC: “He’s so excited about being with the guys again.” And by “guys,” she means half the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
