Ozzy Osbourne said he would ‘die a happy man’ if he passed away after farewell show as Black Sabbath singer dies weeks after final gig

Ozzy Osbourne said he would ‘die a happy man’ if he could perform one more show to express his gratitude to his fans from the stage.

The Black Sabbath frontman, who has died ‘surrounded by love’ at the age of 76, performed from a throne on stage at Villa Park in Birmingham just weeks ago.

And in a resurfaced interview following his death, Ozzy told Rolling Stone in 2023 that he wanted to be ‘well enough’ for one final gig. 

He said: ‘If I can’t continue doing shows on a regular basis, I just want to be well enough to do one show where I can say, “Hi guys, thanks so much for my life”. 

‘That’s what I’m working towards, and if I drop down dead at the end of it, I’ll die a happy man’. 

Elsewhere, Ozzy previously told the publication he insisted that he ‘doesn’t fear death’ and knew that he had ‘at best 10 years left.’

Ozzy Osbourne said he would ‘die a happy man’ if he could perform one more show to express his gratitude to his fans from the stage; pictured 2022 

The Black Sabbath frontman, who has died ‘surrounded by love’ at the age of 76, performed from a throne on stage at Villa Park in Birmingham less than three weeks ago (pictured at the gig)

He said: ‘I don’t fear dying, but I don’t want to have a long, painful and miserable existence. I like the idea that if you have a terminal illness, you can go to a place in Switzerland and get it done quickly. I saw my father die of cancer.

‘But look, I said to Sharon [Osbourne] that I’d smoked a joint recently and she said, “What are you doing that for? It’ll f**king kill you!”

‘I said, “How long do you want me to f**king live for?!” At best, I’ve got 10 years left and when you’re older, time picks up speed.

‘Me and Sharon had our 41st wedding anniversary recently, and that’s just unbelievable to me.’

Ozzy’s health had severely declined in recent years as he revealed he had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease since 2003 and had undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal surgery in September 2023.

His health battle began more than two decade ago, when in 2003, he broke his neck after falling off a quad bike leading to some extensive back surgery and metal rods being put down his spine. 

The British musician was diagnosed with a mild form of Parkinson’s disease in 2003, however he only went public with the condition in 2020.

In 2020, the singer shared in an interview with Good Morning America alongside his wife Sharon his diagnosis.

And in a resurfaced interview following his death, Ozzy told Rolling Stone in 2023 that he wanted to be ‘well enough’ for one final gig

He said: ‘If I can’t continue doing shows on a regular basis, I just want to be well enough to do one show where I can say, “Hi guys, thanks so much for my life”, I’ll die a happy man’

He shared: ‘I had to have surgery on my neck which screwed all my nerves. I found out that I have a mild form of…’ Struggling to finish the sentence Sharon stepped in: ‘It’s Parkin two which is a form of Parkinson’s.’

She added: ‘There are so many different types of Parkinson’s. It’s not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination but it does affect the nerves in your body. It’s like you’ll have a good day, then a good day, and then a really bad day.’

However, Ozzy previously said that his biggest struggles were due to a fall which he suffered in 2019 which caused metal rods in his back to dislodge.

The rods had been put there following a quad bike accident at his Buckinghamshire home in 2003.

He told Rolling Stone UK magazine: ‘The second surgery went drastically wrong and virtually left me crippled.

‘I thought I’d be up and running after the second and third, but with the last one they put a f*ing rod in my spine.

‘They found a tumour in one of the vertebrae, so they had to dig all that out too. It’s pretty rough, man, and my balance is all f*ed up.’

In February 2019, Sharon revealed he had been admitted to hospital after suffering from flu and had experienced ‘complications’ from the illness.

The illness led to him cancelling a string of tour dates while he recovered, including postponing the UK and European legs of his No More Tours 2.

Ahead of his final live performance in July 2025, which was a benefit concert in Birmingham, Ozzy gave an update on his health status and state of mind.

Ozzy had been battling ill-health for over 20 years before his sad death on Tuesday aged 76

He was suffering from Parkinson’s disease since 2003 and had undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal surgery in September 2023

Speaking on SiriusXM’s Ozzy’s Boneyard, he said: ‘You know what, I go on about the way I can’t walk and I can’t do this, but you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all of my complaining, I’m still alive.’

He continued: ‘I may be moaning about how I can’t walk as well but as I look down the road, there’s people that didn’t do half as much as me, and they didn’t make it.’

‘I’m trying to get back on my feet.’

Host Billy Morrison added: ‘Ozzy, you are so much better than you were just a year ago.’

He replied: ‘Yeah, but the recovery is very slow. That f***ing surgeon. Plus the Parkinson’s. When you get up in the morning, you just jump outta bed. Oh I have to balance myself, you know? But you know, I’m not dead, as you say. I’m still actively doing things.’

Also ahead of the gig, Ozzy’s wife Sharon revealed: ‘Ozzy’s working with his therapist every single day. He’s doing really well, actually. Ozzy’s number one thing in life is his fans, so he’s working hard to be ready for them, to make this show the perfect way to end things.’  

Last year, Ozzy was not well enough to perform at the band’s Rock’N’Roll Hall of Fame induction in America. 

At the Back To The Beginning show, Ozzy performed on a black throne as he was unable to stand.

Ozzy, who has undergone multiple back and neck surgeries, moved in a specialist rehab therapist in Los Angeles to try to help him stand for several minutes on stage, walk more freely and feel better balanced.

His health battle began more than 20 years ago, when in 2003, he broke his neck after falling off a quad bike leading to some extensive back surgery and metal rods being put down his spine (pictured in 2004) 

Ozzy passed away on Tuesday (22.07.25), just weeks after he took to the stage for a final performance with his band in Villa Park, Birmingham.

The Osbourne family said in a statement: ‘It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.

‘He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.

‘Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.’

Ozzy was born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, and dropped out of school at the age of 15.

After serving two months in prison for burglary, he decided to pursue his love of music and by 1970 Black Sabbath had gained a huge following in the US and UK with the release of their first album.

Ozzy quit the band in 1978 and divorced his first wife Thelma Mayfair, who he had two children with, four years later, amid his ongoing substance abuse problems.

He went on to marry second wife Sharon Osbourne, who helped him transform into a successful solo artist and the couple had three children together.

Ozzy gained a whole new audience of fans with the family’s reality TV show The Osbournes in 2001.

He is survived by his wife Sharon and his five children, Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly and Jack.