NEED TO KNOW
Ozzy Osbourne was planning some quality time with loved ones before his death.
In the documentary Ozzy: No Escape from Now, the Black Sabbath frontman’s final years are documented, leading up to the band’s farewell show in Birmingham at Villa Park. Weeks after the show, Ozzy died at 76.
Two weeks before the July 5 gig, which saw the rock legend perform from a throne shaped like a bat, Ozzy was looking forward to downtime.
“I’m looking forward to getting this gig over, hanging my mic up and spending some time with you. After this gig, we’re free,” says Ozzy from his Buckinghamshire home in England, where he moved in 2022.
His wife of 43 years, Sharon Osbourne, agrees. “I just want to live a life. That’s all I want to do.”
Scott Dudelson/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“It’s time. I didn’t think I was gonna live past 40. I shouldn’t have lived past 40. But I did,” adds Ozzy. “And if my life’s coming to an end, I really can’t complain. I’ve had a great life.”
Months before, in April, Ozzy was only able to do less than three minutes of cardio on the elliptical. At that point in late June, he was able to go for a 10-minute walk.
“I don’t feel that I’ve come very far,” he tells Sharon, 72. He then asks her if she thinks he’s gotten better. She beats around the bush a little bit before telling him “it’s really good to see you busy” doing day-to-day activities.
Ozzy presses her, asking again: “Do you see any physical change in me?” She tells him that he’s “more active,” and that Ozzy appeared better than three months prior.
Harry How/Getty
Throughout his life, Ozzy suffered many health setbacks, including being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003 (which he didn’t share until 2020) and falling in his Los Angeles home in 2019 that required neck surgery.
Ozzy died on July 22. “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” the “Iron Man” singer’s family told PEOPLE in a statement at the time.
“He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
The week following his death, Ozzy was honored with a funeral procession in his hometown of Birmingham. Thousands of fans lined the streets to bid him farewell.
His family also stopped by a makeshift memorial covered in flowers and notes at the Black Sabbath bridge and bench on Broad Street.
Kevin Winter/Getty
“Ozzy: No Escape From Now was never intended as a posthumous film,” a press release noted of the documentary and its timing.
“However, the documentary now stands as a testament to Ozzy’s courage, wit, determination and talent – qualities that ensure he remains a hero to millions around the world.”
Ozzy: No Escape from Now is available to stream on Paramount Plus.
