Ozzy Osbourne’s farewell tour includes a stop in Tinley Park
With “2” in the title of Ozzy Osbourne’s latest tour, it may be hard for some fans to believe he will no longer be traveling worldwide to perform heavy metal.
Referencing his 1992 “No More Tours” tour, the Prince of Darkness is in the midst of “No More Tours 2,” which includes a Friday concert at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park.
“I’ve been extremely blessed to have had two successful music careers. I’m looking at this final tour as being a huge celebration for my fans and anyone who has enjoyed my music over the past five decades,” said Osbourne in a news release.
“I have to say this, I’m not retiring. I’m just not doing world tours anymore. I’m still going to do shows, just no more world tours. They’ll say, ‘You said you were going to retire on the ‘No More Tours’ tour 25 years ago,’ but I’m not retiring.”
Osbourne’s band for his farewell to world tours includes guitarist Zakk Wylde, bassist Blasko, drummer Tommy Clufetos and keyboardist Adam Wakeman.
“We’re killing it. We’re out there rocking. Everybody’s getting along. Zakk is an amazing guitar player. Blasko is great and Adam is great. We’re all buds, and we’re all there for the same purpose — to give it our all every night,” said Clufetos via phone from his home just outside Los Angeles.
“You guys will witness that in Chicago. We’re looking forward to it. We’re playing in Tinley Park. That’s always fun. We always have great shows. For me, it’s always nice coming back. The Midwest is my home.”
Clufetos, who grew up in Michigan, is no stranger to Osbourne, having played drums on Black Sabbath’s “Reunion Tour” and the heavy metal band’s farewell trek titled “The End Tour.”
“I remember buying records and wanting to play with him in his band when I was a younger guy and here we are. Playing with Ozzy is a total blast and it’s an honor getting up there on stage with him. He’s been around for 50 years. He’s great. I respect him and I really look up to him,” Clufetos said.
“It’s great to get up there and be a part of what he’s doing, so it’s my pleasure. Playing with Ozzy, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath made me a better musician. Hopefully you get to play with musicians who are better than you are. That makes you better.”
Clufetos has been playing drums since age 7 and got a hands-on education performing with his father’s band while in junior high school.
“He taught me so much,” said Clufetos about his father, who shares the same name as him. “He was a disciplinarian and it was brutal, but I always thank him for it. The biggest reason I get to do this for a living today is because of my dad and that work ethic.
“I play drums six days a week when I’m not on the road. It’s a craft and I go in there every day no matter what. I play my drums for two hours every day. I have done it every day because of those lessons. It’s not forgetting what it’s all about and always trying to keep the music No. 1.”
Clufetos said he has learned valuable lessons from Osbourne, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Awardwinning singer and songwriter who has sold more than 100 million records.
“Seeing how he conducts himself, he’s a master at his craft. I want to be a master at my craft so I can learn more about playing my drums by watching Ozzy, who doesn’t play drums,” Clufetos said.
“Ozzy’s had a huge effect on me. The guy has been there, seen everything, and he’s a master at what he does. He’s a master entertainer. He has the greatest voice in rock ’n’ roll that goes along with hard rock guitar.”
Stone Sour, which is touring in support of the “Hydrograd” album, opens the “No More Tours 2” show.
“I think Stone Sour is a great, solid rock band and they have great tunes,” Clufetos said. “People are going to dig them. The two acts complement themselves. By the time we’ll go on, the people will be frothing at the mouth, which is what’s supposed to happen.”