Ozzy Osbourne pumping iron for Black Sabbath’s final bow

One question has been on every metalhead’s mind ever since the major news a few weeks ago of Black Sabbath‘s last performance, the “Back to the Beginning” gig in Villa Park in Birmingham, UK on July 5, along with Ozzy Osbourne‘s last solo performance: will Ozzy be capable of enduring such a performance? Ozzy, who is 76 years old, has had a difficult life and has been battling Parkinson’s disease for a number of years. Asking him if he can give two last performances—one for his band and one for himself—isn’t unjust or even cruel. Although Sharon Osbourne acknowledged that he is unable to walk, she insisted that his voice is the best it has ever been, giving us the impression that he could pull it off, at least initially. Ozzy would only play “little bits and pieces” at the show, which seems like a slightly more realistic expectation, according to the announcement that followed. However, it seems like Ozzy is committed to being in peak physical condition for the performance and has been going to the gym to prepare. Andrew Watt, the producer of Ozzy‘s last two solo albums, discussed his preparations for the big event in a recent appearance with The Howard Stern Show.

He’s okay. It’s just his body is not doing what he wants it to do all the time. But I talked to him a couple days ago, and he’s, like, starting to get in the gym again a little bit by little, get himself ready for this last concert. He is the real-life Iron Man. And nothing has happened to his voice — his voice is as good as it has ever been.