Again citing “doctor’s orders,” Ozzy Osbourne has cancelled more concert performances as a result of his illness. On February 19 in Japan, the organizers of the Download Japan 2019 festival – which Osbourne had been scheduled to headline on March 21 – issued a statement announcing the cancellation.
Hours later, his press office revealed that all of his dates in Australia and New Zealand – also in March – had been canceled.
“Ozzy recently developed pneumonia and has spent some time in hospital. Thankfully he is now through the worst part,” said Sharon Osbourne, via the February 19 press statement. “His doctors have advised that he stay at home to recuperate for a full six weeks with no travel.”
His North American tour is scheduled to begin May 25.
On February 4, Osbourne was hospitalized due to “complications from the flu.” At one point, he was in intensive care, a revelation reported by his wife, Sharon on February 12. The news of his hospitalization came via a tweet from Sharon on February 6. The rocker continues to recover at home.
The Feb. 19 statement from Download Japan: “Following Ozzy’s recent postponement of UK and European tours due to ill health, the Download Japan team has been wishing for a speedy recovery in the hope that he would be able to perform at the festival. Unfortunately however, Ozzy has been forced to cancel his appearance at Download Japan 2019 on doctor’s orders. We apologize to his fans, and anyone inconvenienced by this news.
“Ozzy, who has been suffering from pneumonia, has left the hospital, but has been told to continue to receive treatment at home for a period of six weeks. We wish Ozzy all the best for a full and speedy recovery, and a comeback show in Japan.
“We are currently working towards the announcement of additional acts for the festival. Thank you for your patience. We kindly ask for your understanding that refunds will not be issued in the case of lineup changes.”
The Download Japan lineup currently includes Slayer, Anthrax and Halestorm.
Ozzy announced on January 29 that he had been forced to postpone the entire U.K. and European leg of his “No More Tours 2” tour on doctors’ orders.
“He’s doing great,” said Sharon Osbourne on her show The Talk on Feb. 12. “He’s out of the ICU, he’s doing good, he’s breathing on his own.”
In a midday tweet on Feb. 12, Sharon wrote: “Thank you to everyone for all your get well messages and support for Ozzy. We are overwhelmed and truly touched by everyone’s thoughtfulness.”
Ozzy turned 70 on December 3, 2018.
According to various internet reports, the Prince of Darkness was admitted to Keck Hospital in Southern California on Feb. 4. Sharon Osbourne’s Feb. 6 tweet noted that “his doctors feel this is the best way to get [Ozzy] on a quicker road to recovery.”
As some of you may have heard, Ozzy was admitted to hospital following some complications from the flu. His doctors feel this is the best way to get him on a quicker road to recovery. Thanks to everyone for their concern and love.
— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) February 6, 2019
On Jan. 28, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee announced that he was postponing the first four dates of the tour with Judas Priest because of the flu. After seeing his physician again, Osbourne was diagnosed with a severe upper-respiratory infection which the doctor feels could develop into pneumonia given the physicality of the live performances and an extensive travel schedule throughout Europe in harsh winter conditions.
One day later, the entire tour was postponed. The Jan. 29 statement from Osbourne said: “I’m completely devastated for having to postpone the European leg of my tour. It just seems that since October everything I touch has turned to shit. First the staph infection in my thumb and now coming down with the flu and bronchitis. I want to apologize to all of my fans who have been so loyal over the years, my band, my crew and to Judas Priest for letting you all down. However, I promise the tour with Judas Priest will be completed. It’s being rescheduled right now to start in September. Again, I apologize to everyone. God Bless. Love you all, Ozzy.”
The postponed shows are as follows:
U.K. and Europe (with Judas Priest)
Wed, January 30 – Ireland, Dublin – 3Arena
Fri, February1 – Nottingham – Motorpoint Arena
Sun, February 3 – Manchester – Manchester Arena
Tue, February 5 – Newcastle – Metro Radio Arena
Thu, February 7 – Glasgow – The SSE Hydro
Sat, February 9 – Birmingham – Genting Arena
Mon, February 11 – London – The O2 Arena
Wed, February 13 – Germany, Munich – Olympiahalle
Fri, February 15 – Germany, Frankfurt – Festhalle
Sun, February 17 – Germany, Hamburg – Barclaycard Arena
Tue, February 19 – Germany, Berlin – Mercedes-Benz Arena
Fri, February 22 – Sweden, Stockholm – Ericcson Globe
Sun, February 24 – Finland, Helsinki – Hartwall Arena
Wed, February 2 – Switzerland, Zurich – Hallenstadion
Fri, March 1 – Italy, Bologna – Unipol Arena
Sun, March 3 – Spain, Barcelona – Palau Sant Jordi
Concert-goers should hold on to their tickets, as they will be honored for the rescheduled dates (details of which will be announced in the coming months). Refunds are also available at point of purchase.
Australia, New Zealand, Japan Tour Dates (Canceled)
Mar 09 – Sydney, Australia – Download Festival
Mar 11 – Melbourne, Australia – Download Festival
Mar 13 – Christchurch, NZ – Horncastle Arena
Mar 16 – Auckland, NZ – Spark Arena
Mar 21 – Tokyo, Japan – Download Festival
In October, Osbourne canceled the remaining four shows of his 2018 tour due to a serious infection in his right hand that required surgery.
North America Tour Dates (with Megadeth) (Tickets are available here and here)
May 25 – Pryor, OK – Rocklahoma
May 29 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
May 31 – Sunrise, FL – BB&T Center
Jun 02 – Tampa, FL – MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre
Jun 04 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Jun 06 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Jun 08 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
Jun 11 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Jun 13 – Pittsburgh, PA – KeyBank Pavilion
Jun 15 – Bangor, ME – Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion
Jun 18 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
Jun 20 – Hamilton, ON – FirstOntario Centre
Jun 22 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
Jun 26 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Jun 28 – Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
Jun 30 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
Jul 04 – Milwaukee, WI – Summerfest
Jul 06 – St. Paul MN – Xcel Energy Center
Jul 09 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
Jul 11 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
Jul 13 – Tacoma, WA – Tacoma Dome
Jul 16 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Jul 18 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
Jul 20 – Las Vegas, NV MGM – Grand Garden Arena
Jul 23 – San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Jul 25 – Phoenix, AZ – Ak-Chin Pavilion
Jul 27 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Jul 29 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
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