Ozzy Osbourne’s wife on Israel gig: ‘We play where we want’
Black Sabbath founder set to perform in Rishon Lezion’s Live Park on July 8 as part of his farewell tour
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
No More Tours 2Catch yesterday's press conference announcing NO MORE TOURS 2
Posted by Ozzy Osbourne on Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne has never failed to entertain, whether onstage or in a press conference — like the one he held on Tuesday in his home, ahead of his “No More Tours 2” tour.
Osbourne will perform at Rishon Lezion’s Live Park on July 8 for a stop on what he said is his farewell tour, along with members of Black Sabbath, the band he founded and fronted 49 years ago.
Osbourne and Black Sabbath helped define the heavy metal genre with classic songs like “Black Sabbath,” “Paranoid” and “Master of Reality.” But it was Osbourne’s wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, who turned him around after years of drug and alcohol abuse.
Sharon Osbourne sat next to Ozzy at Tuesday’s press conference, which was streamed on Facebook.
When discussing which destinations Osbourne is looking forward to on tour, Sharon Osbourne surprised him by letting him know that their children, Kelly and Jack Osbourne, “really want to come to Israel.”
Osbourne was asked if he’s felt any pressure not to play in Israel, and Sharon Osbourne quickly responded, “I’m half a Heeb; we play where we want to play.”
“The last time I played in Israel, it was a great concert,” said Ozzy Osbourne, who last played in the country in 2010.
“It was unbelievable,” said Sharon Osbourne.
The pair discussed Osbourne’s decision to make this his last tour, after 50 years of performing and touring.
“I’m not retiring from music,” he said. “The business will be doing gigs, just not a world tour.”
Osbourne, who is 70, said he wanted to spend more time with his family and grandkids.
“I”ve missed my family over the years, I was on the road all the time,” he said.
For now, though, he’s planning on spending more time at home, to which Sharon Osbourne responded, “I’m fucking frightened. I think I need to get another job, I’m going out on the road!”
Touring, said Osbourne, is a mixed bag.
“Some nights are good, some nights are not so good,” said Osbourne, who got emotional when he recently played in Birmingham, England, where he is from and where he first performed. “It’s the greatest affair I ever had.”