Ozzy Osbourne says his upcoming shows are part of a 'final world tour'
Ozzy Osbourne has confirmed he will retire from touring the globe in three years' time.
The Prince of Darkness was unveiled as the Sunday night headliner at Download Festival this morning and now it has transpired that this show is part of a swansong world jaunt for Ozzy that starts in Mexico next May and continues through to 2020.
"People keep asking me when I’m retiring," Ozzy said in a statement. "This will be my final world tour, but I can’t say I won’t do some shows here and there."
Ozzy’s band for his farewell world tour consists of guitarist Zakk Wylde, bassist Rob ‘Blasko’ Nicholson, drummer Tommy Clufetos and keyboardist Adam Wakeman.
Black Sabbath, of course, said goodbye to fans with their sprawling The End tour, which culminated back in February with two shows in their native Birmingham.
Echoing Ozzy’s statement about his solo career, Tony Iommi told Planet Rock's Wyatt earlier this year that he couldn’t rule out further Sabbath activity in future.
“I’m going to miss playing on stage because that has been my whole life, the band and playing on stage,” Tony explained. “I like (playing on stage) and I’m sure it’s not going to end like that; I’m sure we might do a one-off show somewhere.
“It’s just the touring for me – it’s time to stop roaming the world and be at home for a bit... I’m still going to write and put stuff out.”
Download Festival takes place at Donington Park from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th June 2018. Standard weekend and RIP tickets are on sale right now - head to Planet Rock Tickets for yours.
The other two headliners for next year’s rock extravaganza are expected to be announced in the coming days. Last year’s event was headlined by System of a Down, Biffy Clyro and Aerosmith.
The opening dates of Ozzy Osbourne's farewell world tour are as follows:
MAY 2018
Mexico, TBA – 5th
Santiago Chile, TBA – 8th
Buenos Aires, Argentina, TBA – 11th
Sao Paulo, Brazil, TBA – 13th
Curitiba, Brazil, TBA – 16th
Belo Horizonte, Brazil, TBA – 18th
Rio De janeiro, TBA – 20th
JUNE 2018
Moscow Olympiisky, Russia – 1st
St Petersburg Ice Palace, Russia – 3rd
Finland TBA – 6th
Solvesborg Sweden Rock Festival – 8th
Donington Download Festival, UK – 10th
Prague Airport Letnany, Czech Republic – 13th
Paris Download Festival, France – 15th
Italy TBA – 17th
Halden Tons Of Rock Festival, Norway – 20th
Copenhagen Copenhell Festival, Denmark – 22nd
Dessel Graspop Metal Meeting, Belgium – 24th
Krakow Impact Festival, Poland – 26th
Oberhausen Konig-Pilsnet Arena, Germany – 28th
Madrid Download Festival, Spain – 30th
JULY 2018
Lisbon Meo Arena, Portugal – 7th