Ozzy on Returning to Live Shows: “I’ve Gotta Do More Gigs if I Have to Get Someone to Wheel Me Out There”

Former Black Sabbath singer and legendary solo performer Ozzy Osbourne, who retired from touring just last year, has discussed the fact that he wants to get back on the road. In a new interview with Metal Hammer, he discussed both the past and future of touring.

Recalling the past, he spoke about times that he performed under less-than-ideal circumstances and fans still gave him props for the effort.

“I remember some good gigs and I’ve done my fair share of fucking bad gigs. A guitar player can change his guitar. A drummer can change the drum. If my voice goes, I’m fucked. One time I was at a gig at Nassau Coliseum in New York.

“On the way to the gig, my voice went out. The kids were already there and I thought, ‘What the fuck am I gonna do now?’ I went out and tried to sing and they gave me a standing ovation. The kids would rather see you being bad than go home.”

Ozzy went on to stress how important it is to him to be able to play live and told Metal Hammer that he would rather be wheeled out onto the stage than not be able to perform.

“I mean, doing a live show is what I live for. I’ve had to cancel my [2023] European tour but I’m determined. I’ve gotta do more gigs if I have to get someone to wheel me out there. I mean, you can’t retire from this game.

“It’s not a job, it’s a fucking passion. I don’t know how to do anything else. The thought of sitting in my house all day… I’m a road dog, you know? I’ve been doing it fucking 55 years. It’s the best thing to have ever happened to me.”

Osbourne will perform Power Trip festival.