Final month, Ozzy Osbourne acknowledged that his “touring days . . . have ended” following the cancelation of his 2023 spring tour with Judas Priest (as a result of medical problems). Naturally, there have been a plethora of involved and appreciative reactions from followers, and now, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford has supplied his personal supportive response to the Prince of Darkness’ choice.
In a brand new chat with Steel Hammer, Halford clarified that though he hasn’t “spoken to Ozzy in particular person,” he “despatched him a textual content the opposite day congratulating him on his two Grammys – ‘effectively finished bab, love ya!” Clearly, he’s referring to Osbourne’s latest 2023 Grammy award wins (Greatest Rock Album for Affected person Quantity 9 and Greatest Steel Efficiency for “Degradation Journey”).
Halford continued [via Metal Hammer]:
I can solely reinforce what all of Ozzy’s followers, together with us in Judas Priest, have stated to him although, which is that he has finished a lot for all of us in rock and steel. He’s finished a lot for his followers, and everyone knows how unhealthy he feels about having to cancel as a result of he lives for these followers. You’ll be able to see that each time he goes onstage, he’s beaming and connecting with all people.
It was horrible for him to must make that necessary – and, to be sincere, proper – choice. He made the best name. I don’t suppose he needed to place himself by means of a factor the place it’s like “Okay, we’ll have a go” then must cancel after a few exhibits. Although there’s loads of love for him and loads of care and understanding, I’ve seen what the British steel maniacs have been saying and it’s precisely how I really feel too – put your ft up, you’ve earned it!
We couldn’t say it higher ourselves.
Halford additionally commented on Judas Priest’s plans to tour the U.Ok. previous to commencing work on the follow-up to 2018’s Firepower. Particularly, he defined that they are “frantically making an attempt to determine if [they] can do one thing this yr to reward all these followers who’ve been ready so patiently.”
He added. “We’ve been away from our British followers for too lengthy, and we’re making an attempt behind the scenes to place issues collectively for this yr if we are able to make it occur and if we’ve obtained one thing to announce, we completely will.”
Final month, Osbourne addressed the state of affairs on SiriusXM’s Ozzy’s Boneyard, together with the truth that he’s sad with how the press has interpreted and reported his earlier announcement:
Properly, I have been working my guts out to try to get again on my ft. I’ve come to the purpose the place Sharon says to me, “ what, the reality of the wedding, you’ll be able to’t hold reserving excursions and failing, cancelling.” So if I can ever get again to the place I can tour once more, high-quality. However proper now, in case you stated to me, “Are you able to go on the street in a month?,” I could not say sure. . . . This fucking press drive you nuts. I imply, I appeared within the journal, “Ozzy’s on his final legs,” I am fucking not dying. Come on, guys. Have not I’ve had it unhealthy sufficient already? If I get okay at present. If the physician stated to me at present, “Oh, you’ll be able to tour,” it might take one other six months to get it collectively, you already know? You’ve obtained no concept. You bought no concept what my, I really feel like a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest.
In happier information, Osbourne appeared in a 2023 Tremendous Bowl industrial referred to as “Rock Star” (alongside KISS’ Paul Stanley, Billy Idol, Gary Clark Jr. and Joan Jett). In it, he acts as a shirt-and-tie workplace employee. Elsewhere, he – and Sharon – confirmed up in an superior commercial for Ps’s Horizon Name of the Mountain (arguably the largest launch title of Ps’s new VR2 system).
In fact, solely time will inform what the remainder of 2023 holds for Osbourne and Judas Priest on stage.
Ozzy Performs at First Sport of NFL Season (Rams vs. Payments)
Ozzy Osbourne performs “Affected person Quantity 9” and “Loopy Prepare” at halftime throughout the Los Angeles Rams vs. Buffalo Payments NFL sport to kickoff the 2022-2023 season.
