The absolute battler Ozzy Osbourne is determined not to let his severe health problems stop him playing one last Black Sabbath gig in his hometown.
The metal legend, who confirmed in 2020 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's and has suffered numerous other serious health issues, is reuniting with his old bandmates for a concert at Birmingham's Villa Park - home to his beloved Aston Villa.
Sceptics have questions whether Osbourne will be fit to perform, but he insists he'll be there despite his ailments thanks to all of his training.
"You wake up the next morning and find that something else has gone wrong," the 76-year-old told The Guardian of his health struggles. "You begin to think this is never going to end."
He added: "I have problems walking. I also get blood pressure issues from blood clots on my legs. I'm used to doing two hours on stage, jumping and running around. I don't think I'll be doing much jumping or running around this time. I may be sitting down."
The Paranoid musician went on to say that his wife Sharon organising the homecoming gig gave him, "a reason to get up in the morning," and that he has been working with a vocal coach and been going to the gym to make sure he can perform.
Osbourne has taken care to make sure his fans don't feel shortchanged by curating a bill that includes a host of bands inspired by Black Sabbath, including the likes of Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Slash, and Tom Morello.
"We're only playing a couple of songs each. I don't want people thinking, 'We're getting ripped off,' because it's just going to be ... a sample," he told the British newspaper. "You're going to get a few songs each by Ozzy and Sabbath."
The one-time reunion concert with Sabbath's original lineup of Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward will raise funds for charities Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham Children's Hospital and Acorns Children's Hospice.
In case you missed it, we gave away a trip to the concert last week! Congrats Andrea, enjoy Birmingham.
Our next Rock the Globe trip is tickets to Oasis in Melbourne. Keep listening out from 6am til 6pm, be the first caller through when you hear the boarding call, and you’re in to win.
