The 71-year-old rocker told fans the news ahead of his new album release
He has enjoyed quite a fortuitous life and career over the past 50+ years, but Ozzy Osbourne has revealed that he was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
The Black Sabbath frontman – who releases a new solo album 'Ordinary Man' next month, featuring contributions from Elton John, Slash, RHCP's Chad Smith and more – broke the news during an appearance on 'Good Morning America' yesterday.
The 71-year-old and his wife Sharon explained that he had been diagnosed after suffering a bad fall at home in February 2019. The accident caused the postponement of a number of tour dates.
“It’s been terribly challenging for us all,” he said. “I did my last show New Year’s Eve [2018] at The Forum. Then I had a bad fall. I had to have surgery on my neck, which screwed all my nerves.”
Sharon added: “It’s PRKN 2. There’s so many different types of Parkinson’s; it’s not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination, but it does affect certain nerves in your body. And it’s — it’s like you have a good day, a good day, and then a really bad day.”
The rocker said that he was taking medication for the condition and had decided to share the diagnosis with fans because “I’m no good with secrets. I cannot walk around with it anymore ’cause it’s like I’m running out of excuses, you know?”
He added that he intended to continue touring and performing, saying of his fans: “They’re my air, you know. I’ve owned up to the fact that I have a case of Parkinson’s. And I just hope they hang on and they’re there for me because I need them.”
Watch the full interview below: