Sharon Osbourne has confirmed she removed a band from Ozzy Osbourne’s final show. She addressed the controversy in a recent interview with Louder Sound.
Osbourne opened up about a significant conflict with a band manager during what she described as a celebration for Ozzy and Black Sabbath when asked “What do people get wrong about you?”.
“I had a huge, huge to-do with a manager over this celebration for Ozzy and Sabbath,” Osbourne said. “And it was probably the worst way I’ve felt in years. And I don’t care what this person says about me, thinks about it, because he doesn’t know me.”
She continued to defend her decision. She explained her approach to handling criticism from the music industry.
“And he’s now going around making up bullshit lies because I threw his band off the bill,” she said. “I don’t care what people say. Because do you know what? I don’t love them. I care about people who love me, what they say about me. You can’t care what an industry says, because you don’t love them, so how can it hurt you? It doesn’t.”
Osbourne clarified that Iron Maiden was not involved in the controversy when specifically asked “So the band you’re talking about isn’t Maiden?”.
“Oh god, no,” she responded. “Ozzy only has respect for the guys in Maiden. And he didn’t even know what Bruce was doing. I never told him, until the night that it happened when it was the last show, and he just looked at me and goes, ‘You’re terrible.'”
This controversy surrounding Ozzy’s farewell performance highlights the complex dynamics behind what has become one of the most anticipated events in rock music history.
The farewell show concept was actually Sharon’s initiative. It was designed to provide Ozzy with motivation during his ongoing health struggles. People Magazine reported that Sharon came up with the idea for Ozzy’s final concert to give him a “reason to get up in the morning” amid his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Ozzy’s health challenges have significantly impacted his ability to perform. His vocal abilities remain largely unaffected though. People Magazine noted that while Parkinson’s disease has affected Ozzy’s mobility, Sharon has observed that it hasn’t diminished his voice. This allows him to continue performing despite physical limitations.
The final performance was designed as part of a broader celebration titled “Back to the Beginning.” This specifically highlights Black Sabbath’s enduring legacy in heavy metal music. People Magazine detailed that this farewell concept serves as both a tribute to the band’s historical significance and a meaningful conclusion to Ozzy’s performing career.
Sharon’s protective approach to managing Ozzy’s career has occasionally sparked controversy beyond this recent incident. Her strong stance on maintaining control over events and performances reflects her long-standing role as both manager and advocate for her husband’s artistic integrity throughout his decades-long career.
The interview sheds light on behind-the-scenes tensions during what appears to have been Ozzy’s farewell performance.
