Ozzy Osbournehas withdrawn from this year’sPower Trip,花旗ng concerns about his health.
The 74-year-old British heavy metal icon was set to be among the headliners announced for the music festival, which plans to showcase old-school heavy metal acts on Oct. 6-8 at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio (Riverside County). The event is organized by Goldenvoice, the promoter behind the annual Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the same group that produced 2016’s Desert Trip, the six-day festival headlined by the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Neil Young, Roger Waters and the Who.
In astatement posted on social mediaMonday, July 10, Osbourne expressed his regret and explained his reasons for stepping back from the event.
“As painful as this is, I’ve had to make the decision to bow out of performing on Power Trip in October,” Osbourne wrote. “My original plan was to return to the stage in the summer of 2024, and when the offer to do this show came in, I optimistically moved forward. Unfortunately, my body is telling me that I’m just not ready yet, and I am much too proud to have the first show that I do in nearly five years be half-assed.”
As painful as this is, I’ve had to make the decision to bow out of performing on Power Trip in October.
— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne)July 10, 2023
My original plan was to return to the stage in the summer of 2024, & when the offer to do this show came in, I optimistically moved forward.
Unfortunately, my body is…pic.twitter.com/gHWEE8VuI6
Osbourne was originally scheduled to headline the second night of Power Trip on Oct. 7, alongside AC/DC. Other headliners slated to appear include rock titansGuns N’ Rosesand Iron Maiden on Oct. 6, andMetallicaand Tool on Oct. 8.
Osbourne announced in January that he had retired from touring, citing damage to his spine from an accident four years ago. But the former vocalist for Black Sabbath said his “singing voice is fine” and did not rule out playing one-off dates such as the half-time set at last year’s NFL opening game.
On Monday, he added that a replacement act for Power Trip would be announced soon and assured, “They are personal friends of mine and I can promise that you will not be disappointed.”
Osbourne did not say if he plans to perform again.
“Above all, I want to thank my fans, my band, and my crew for their unconditional loyalty and continual support,” he said.
Reach Aidin Vaziri: avaziri@sfchronicle.com