Ozzy Osbourne has slammed a former associate who’s claimed the Black Sabbath frontman’s split with wife Sharon is a PR stunt.
Press reports this week stated that Steven Machat – described as Ozzy’s manager before Sharon took over in the early 1980s – believes the pair haven’t really broken up.
Sharon revealed the separation in May, saying that she’d “found this inner strength” to move on, although she still cared about her husband. Later that week they appeared in public together to announce Ozzy’s tie-in festival with Slipknot.
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Machat has told RadarOnline: “I would put money on a publicity stunt. They’re on a Black Sabbath tour. She would do this in a minute. It’s propaganda.
“Sharon is clever enough to make a story that the press would read, so all of a sudden he becomes relevant again.”
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But Ozzy has responded by saying: “For the record, Mr Machat never managed me, nor was he employed by me in any capacity at any time in my career.
“His representation of this is a categorical lie. I met him when he was hanging around the music industry in the early 80s, but haven’t seen him in at least 30 years. He’s a sad delusional relic from the 80s.”
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi last week expressed his own disregard for reports concerning the Osbournes’ marriage, telling the Guardian: “It’s nonsense. You never know what’s coming. God knows what I’ll read about him next – probably that he’s pregnant!”
The band continue their The End world tour, including a headline appearance at the Download festival this weekend. They’re the cover stars of the current edition of Classic Rock, on sale now in print, digital and via TeamRock+.
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Black Sabbath The End tour 2016
Jun 08: Berlin Waldebuhne, Germany
Jun 11: Download Festival, UK
Jun 13:Verona Arena, Italy
Jun 15: Zurich Hallenstadion, Switzerland
Jun 17: Dessel Graspop Metal Meeting, Belgium
Jun 19: Hellfest, France
Jun 23: Halden Tons of Rock, Norway
Jun 25: Copenhagen Copenhell, Denmark
Jun 28: Vienna Stadthalle, Austria
Jun 30: Prague 02 Arena, Czech Republic
Jul 02: Krakow Tauron Arena, Poland
Jul 05: Riga Arena, Latvia
Jul 07: Helsinki Monsters of Rock, Finland
Jul 09: Stockholm Monsters of Rock, Sweden
Jul 12: Moscow Olympisky Arena, Russia
Aug 17: Wantagh Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, NY
Aug 19: Philadelphia Susquehanna Bank Center, PA
Aug 21: Washington Jiffy Lube Live, DC
Aug 23: Holmdel PNC Bank Arts Center, NJ
Aug 25: Boston Xfinity Center, MA
Aug 27: Uncasville Mohegan Sun Arena, CT
Aug 29: Toronto Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, ON
Aug 31: Detroit DTE Energy Music Theater, MI
Sep 02: Indianapolis Klipsch Music Center, IN
Sep 04: Chicago Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, IL
Sep 07: Dallas Gexa Energy Pavilion, TX
Sep 09: Albuquerque Isleta Amphitheater, NM
Sep 11: Salt Lake City USANA Amphitheater, UT
Sep 13: Portland Sunlight Supply Arena, OR
Sep 15: Oakland Oracle Arena, CA
Sep 17: Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena, NV
Sep 19: Hollywood Hollywood Bowl, CA
Sep 21: Phoenix AK-Chin Pavilion, AZ
