Bernie Tormé extremely ill with virulent double pneumonia
Former Ozzy Osbourne, Gillan and Desperado guitarist, Bernie Tormé, is extremely ill in intensive care with virulent pneumonia in both lungs.
A statement issued by Bernie Tormé’s family last night (13th February) said he was rushed to hospital earlier this week with double pneumonia and he currently remains in intensive care.
It reads: “Bernie Tormé, the world-renowned guitarist, with stints with Ozzy Osbourne, Gillan and Desperado (featuring Dee Snider) was rushed into hospital earlier this week suffering from virulent pneumonia in both lungs.
“He is currently receiving the best possible treatment and is fighting back but remains in intensive care.
“We’ll keep you posted on any change in the situation but for now your thoughts and best wishes are much appreciated.”
> Bernie Tormé is extremely ill in intensive care with virulent double pneumonia. We ask for your prayers. > > — Bernie Tormé (@Bernie_Torme) February 13, 2019
Dee Snider tweeted last night: “My dear friend @Bernie_Torme is very ill. Please join me in sending positive energy and love his way. He is more than worthy of your thoughts and prayers. Such a great guy. Love you, Bernie.”
Tracii Guns, Ginger Wildheart and Rudy Sarzo are among those who have sent positive thoughts to Bernie on social media.
> My dear friend @Bernie_Torme is very ill. Please join me in sending positive energy and love his way. He is more than worthy of your thoughts and prayers. Such a great guy. Love you, Bernie. > > — Dee Snider (@deesnider) February 14, 2019
Bernie released his latest studio album ‘Shadowland’ late last year and supported it with a headline UK tour.
Back in June 2018, Bernie reconnected with Ozzy Osbourne backstage at Sweden Rock Festival for the first time in decades.
Ozzy credits Bernie with saving his career after he stepped in for Randy Rhoads in the wake of the guitarist’s tragic death in a plane accident in 1982. Ozzy has said: “(Bernie) did me a great favour. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be doing it now. I’d have given up.”
> Such a nice thing for me to see Ozzy at Sweden Rock Festival. 36 years since that awful time just after Randy passed away.
> We had a lovely chat & a laugh, just like meeting up with an old mate, nothing changed
> Meant such a lot to me. What a nice guy.https://t.co/Q1Wz6C6htw pic.twitter.com/JvWvnJ6Tq6
>
> — Bernie Tormé (@Bernie_Torme) June 17, 2018
Also meeting Zakk Wylde at the Sweden Rock Festival, Bernie commented at the time: "It was so f***in' nice to catch up with Ozz again after all these years; it was like no time had passed!
“I was so delighted to meet Zakk too, and totally blown away when he said I was one of his heroes and wanted a selfie with me! Man, he's one of my big heroes! I guess I must have made an impression on him at that Madison Square Garden Ozzy gig way back in the '80s… Well, he was only 16!
“Ozz and I had a right old chinwag. 'Course I did try to blag him into singing on a track on my new PledgeMusic album 'Shadowland'!"
> @Bernie_Torme I am sending positive thoughts and prayers to you my friend🙏🏻🎸🙏🏻 https://t.co/4NWqfEEQ29 > > — Rudy Sarzo (@rudysarzo) February 13, 2019
> Get well soon Bernie. You make the world a better place. Gx > > — Ginger Wildheart (@GingerWildheart) February 13, 2019
> I love you Bernie!!! > > — Tracii Guns ❄️ (@traciiguns) February 13, 2019