Ozzy Osbourne’s voice will be ‘as good as ever’ when Black Sabbath reunite for a one-off concert this summer – but he will struggle to walk due to the ravages of Parkinson’s disease. 

The legendary rocker is reuniting with original Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi for the show at Premier League football club Aston Villa’s 43,000 capacity stadium in their home city of Birmingham on July 5.

But while the heavy metal pioneers are expected to enjoy a triumphant return to the Midlands city, where they formed in 1968, Ozzy’s wife Sharon Osbourne says it will be a testing experience. 

She told The Sun: He’s very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this. Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. 

‘It’s not something you can stabilise. It affects different parts of the body and it’s affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it’s ever been.’

A host of stars will likely attend the landmark show,  but Sharon says rapper Kanye West and his provocative wife Bianca Censori are not welcome after he sampled Black Sabbath track Iron Man without their permission.

Ozzy Osbourne ‘s voice will be ‘as good as ever’ when Black Sabbath reunite for a one-off concert this summer – but he will struggle to walk due to the ravages of Parkinson’s disease

While the heavy metal pioneers are expected to enjoy a triumphant return, Ozzy’s wife Sharon Osbourne says it will be a testing experience

‘No, not at all. I wouldn’t have him anywhere near,’ she said. ‘And his wife’s a big old floppy a**e, either. And her sagging t**s.’ 

Black Sabbath fans have already voiced their concerns over the rocker’s health after he announced Black Sabbath’s final gig – their first in 20 years. 

While many are ecstatic and anxiously waiting to be able to try and get their hands on tickets, some have highlighted concerns over whether Ozzy will be well enough to perform.

Ozzy, whose health has delayed he and wife Sharon’s move back to the UK, has undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal surgery in September 2023. He has also suffered from Parkinson’s disease since 2003.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, concerned fans said: ‘Wonder if this will really happened! Ozzy’s health hasn’t been that great! I hope so, though! Sure sounds cool!’;

‘The big question is will Ozzy make it to that stage? Hopefully they will make arrangements that make it easier and safe for him to perform with his health issues,’;

‘I hate to be that guy, but there’s no chance this actually happens right? Ozzy hasn’t performed in years due to his health and canceled multiple appearances/shows. Line-up is insane though lol,’;

‘Not that long ago, Ozzy barely could give an acceptance speech on the Rock And Roll HOF, while being seated. Really hoping that his health and condition improved since then. But that being said, hardly feasible that Ozzy will be in singing condition,’;

Black Sabbath fans have voiced their concerns over the rocker’s health after he announced Black Sabbath’s final ever gig

WHAT IS PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, according to the NHS website.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS says there are three major symptoms, including tremors or shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.

Other symptoms include problems with balance, loss of smell, nerve pain, excessive sweating and dizziness.

Some people can also experience lack of sleep, excessive production of saliva and problems swallowing, causing malnutrition and dehydration.

What are the early signs?

Symptoms can start gradually, sometimes beginning with a barely noticeable tremor in just one part of the body.

In the early stages, people may show little or no expression, and their arms may not swing when they walk.

Speech can also become soft or slurred, with the condition worsening over time.

What are the causes?

Some scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause of Parkinson’s disease.

It occurs after a person experiences loss of nerve cells in a part of their brain.

However, it is not known why the loss of nerve cells ᴀssociated with the condition takes place but research is ongoing to identify potential causes.

Scientists say genetics factor can increase a person’s risk of developing the disease, and can therefore run in families.

Other factors attributed to causing the condition include environmental problems such as pollution, though such links are inconclusive, the NHS says.

How is it diagnosed?

No tests can conclusively show if a person has the disease, but doctors can make a diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history and a physical examination.

A specialist will ask the person to write or draw, walk or speak to check for any common signs of the condition.

They may even check for difficulty making facial expressions and slowness of limb movement.

How many people are affected?

Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson’s disease in the UK, according to the charity Parkinson’s UK.

What happens if someone is diagnosed?

According to the charity, it is a legal requirement to contact the DVLA, as a diagnosed person will need to have a medical or driving ᴀssessment.

The organisation also advises people to contact any insurance providers and find out about financial support available.

People are also encouraged to partake in more exercise.

Can it be treated?

Although there is no cure, a number of treatments are available to help reduce the symptoms.

The main remedies include medication, exercise, therapy and surgery, which can help people in different ways.

What medication is available and what are the side effects?

Medication can be helpful in improving the main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as shaking and movement problems.

There are three main types which are commonly used, levodopa, dopamine agonist or a MAO-B inhibitor. Each can affect people in different ways.

The drugs do have some side effects, including impulsive and compulsive behaviour, hallucinations, sleep issues and blood pressure changes.

What therapy is available?

There are several therapies available to those with Parkinson’s through the NHS.

Among them are physiotherapy to reduce muscle stiffness, occupational therapy to help with completing day-to-day tasks and speech and language coaching.

Does this change the way you live?

Most people’s life expectancy will not change a great deal, though more advanced symptoms can lead to increased disability and poor health.

It can also cause some cognitive issues and changes to mood and mental health.

Those with Parkinson’s are encouraged to exercise more often, with scientists saying 2.5 hours of exercise a week is enough to slow the progression of symptoms.

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Ozzy, whose health has delayed he and Sharon’s move back to the UK, has undergone seven surgeries in the past five years

‘Considering Ozzy and Geezer’s health I fear this will end up being incredibly sad to go watch, I can’t see how Ozzy will be able to do a set at all,’;

‘Wondering how long Sabbath will play for with that amount of bands and with Ozzy’s health.’

Meanwhile MailOnline readers echoed their sentiments as they said: ‘How can he do it? He has Parkinson’s both his movements and voice will be seriously impeded. Good luck to them but I think there will be a lot of backing support from sound engineers and singers,’;

‘Went to see them in Birmingham when the original line up got back together. What a fantastic night. Not sure if Oz can perform as he did back then, but if Jagger can still do it, why not.?’;

‘It wasn’t that long ago Sharon said her and Ozzy wanted to live back in the UK because of the Gun violence in America but said he wasn’t well enough to travel,sounds like a miracle has happened so let’s see if they come back now he seems healthier.’

While many fans are ecstatic and anxiously waiting to be able to try and get their hands on tickets, some have highlighted concerns over whether Ozzy will be well enough to perform (Seen with daughter Kelly in 2020)

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, concerned fans said: ‘ Wonder if this will really happened! Ozzy’s health hasn’t been that great! I hope so, though! Sure sounds cool!

The show will take place on July 5 at the birthplace of the band and will feature Ozzy, 76, Tommy, bᴀssist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward 

Ozzy’s wife Sharon attended the announcement at Villa Park, the concert venue, on Wednesday alongside the band’s guitarist Tony Iommi.

Sharon proudly held up a Villa football shirt with Ozzy’s name on the back as she posed pitchside.

The group pioneered heavy metal music in the early 1970s with hits such as War Pigs, Paranoid and Iron Man.

Since their last gig together in 2005, Black Sabbath has played in partial reunions but never in their original line-up.

Black Sabbath, in what is being billed as its final show, will top a line-up of rock and heavy metal icons including Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Lamb Of God and Anthrax at the Villa Park event.

The show will feature sets from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, Anthrax and Mastodon. 

The all-day event will also feature a supergroup of musicians. 

Artists announced so far include Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), David Draiman (Disturbed), Duff McKagan, Frank Bello (Anthrax), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Jake E Lee, Jonathan Davis (Korn), KK Downing and Lzzy Hale (Halestorm).

Profits from the show, called Back To The Beginning, will be shared equally between the following charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice, a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa. 

Meanwhile MailOnline readers echoed their sentiments as they said: ‘How can he do it? He has Parkinson’s both his movements and voice will be seriously impeded’

Black Sabbath pictured in the 70s – L-R: (back) Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, (front) Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne – posed, group sH๏τ 

The group pioneered heavy metal music in the early 1970s with hits such as War Pigs, Paranoid and Iron Man

Osbourne, the group’s charismatic frontman who left the band in 1979 due to drug and alcohol problems and went on to pursue a highly successful solo career, said in 2020 he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The all-star event will celebrate the true creators of heavy metal and will see Ozzy Osbourne play his own short set before joining with Black Sabbath for his final bow. 

He said in a statement: ‘It’s … time for me to give back to the place where I was born. How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal.’

Formed in Birmingham in 1968 and going on to become one of most successful metal bands of all time, Black Sabbath have sold over 75 million albums worldwide across their legendary career. 

Setting the blueprint for the many routes heavy metal took, Black Sabbath’s influence and importance is as vital today as it was in the early 1970s. 

Kanye West and his ‘floppy ar**d’ wife Bianca Censori are banned from the final Black Sabbath gig when it takes place in Birmingham on July 5