Ozzfest

Ozzfest is an annual tour of the United States and Europe featuring performances by many heavy metal/hard rock groups. It is organized by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife, Sharon Osbourne.

History

The festival was created in 1996, when organizers of musical festival Lollapalooza refused to let Ozzy Osbourne join the tour. The tour was very well-received, which prompted the Osbournes to have the festival become a yearly occurrence.

In 1998, Ozzfest ventured outside the United States for the first time for the United Kingdom, which featured a different lineup. After 4 shows, however, Main Stage act Korn dropped out of the tour, due to the wife of one of the band members giving birth. Other Main Stage act Soulfly's set included a guest appearance by ex-Dub War/Skindred frontman Benji Webb. The festival would eventually return to the UK, appearing in 2001, 2002, and 2005.

In 2002, Ozzfest broke new ground by expanding its borders into central Europe. Included were 16 venues across Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Denmark, Finland and Russia among other nations. The festival, however, was marked by the death of Drowning Pool frontman Dave Williams, who was found dead of an undiagnosed heart condition on their bus. Tommy Lee replaced the band for the rest of the tour.

On-stage footage of the Ozzfest 2004 tour was shown on MTV. They hosted a show titled Battle for Ozzfest where Ozzy and Sharon chose eight out of hundreds of bands to compete for a spot on the following year's Ozzfest. Ozzy selected one member of each band to "tag along" on the tour doing various tasks (some just to anger the contestants) and there were occasional meetings to decide which contestant was to leave that week for whatever reason. Marc Serrano from A Dozen Furies was the winner.

Ozzy said the 2006 shows will be the last Ozzfest in which he will make a "regular appearance" meaning that although Ozzfest will continue, it will no longer be a guarantee that Ozzy himself will perform.

Sharon Osbourne was interviewed by Opie and Anthony on their syndicated radio show. She confirmed that Ozzy will be performing on the 2nd stage again next year at Ozzfest 2007. She also said that they are trying to get Alice In Chains on the bill.

The Stages at Ozzfest

The Main Stage

The Ozzfest main stage has featured many great acts. It is sometimes referred to as "Ozzy's stage" because he has been the headliner every year, although only on select dates in 2006, which he co-headlined with System of a Down. Traditionally, this stage features bigger names than the second stage does, although big names are often featured on both.

The Second Stage

The second stage at Ozzfest traditionally features lesser-known bands, and is widely regarded as a great launchpad for such acts. However, many main stage caliber-acts have been known to appear on the second stage over the years. Ozzy Osbourne himself headlined the second stage on a few select dates in 2006.

Controversy

The Camden incident of 2004

On the August 26, 2004 show in Camden, New Jersey, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford memorably filled in for Ozzy Osbourne on Black Sabbath vocals after Ozzy came down with bronchitis. His illness was not revealed to the audience until immediately before Black Sabbath was scheduled to take the stage, at which time Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward and Philadelphia DJ Tommy Conwell took the stage. Conwell announced that he had a message from Ozzy to the audience and proceeded to read the following:

"Philadelphia, you are about to witness a once in a lifetime performance. Unfortunately, I've come down with bronchitis and will not be able to perform tonight. However, my good mate from Birmingham, the "Metal God" himself - Mr. Rob Halford, has graciously agreed to step in and sing for me this evening." Conwell went on to explain - "This is from Ozzy. Let me hear you go fucking crazy for Mr. Rob Halford.”

After being met with a series of boos from the crowd drummer Bill Ward then addressed the crowd, assuring them that although they may feel "cheated" and "ripped off" he and the band intended to "play their balls off". The lights then immediately dimmed and the concert began.

There were no refunds offered to the audience, and many of them who had purchased expensive seats purchased them simply to see the original Black Sabbath up close. For weeks after the show, controversy raged among the fans. The "Camden Refund Petition" was launched on petitiononline.com and sent to Sharon Osbourne. The petition, among other criticism, prompted Sharon Osbourne to release a statement to the press on September 1st, 2004, which attempted to explain the actions taken when Ozzy's illness was revealed. She stated that they chose to find a replacement for Ozzy and announce this change late, instead of announcing it early, which she felt could have caused a riot.

Following the apology, much of the controversy died down, but some still pointed out glaring holes in Sharon's argument. Many people took issue with the claim that making the announcement to a largely intoxicated audience at 9:00 at night without offering recourse was somehow less likely to cause a riot then making the announcement earlier in the day with the option of a refund.

The Iron Maiden incident of 2005

Due to Ozzy's deteriorating physical conditions, Black Sabbath had to cancel several shows during Ozzfest 2005 which were filled in by extra-long sets from British band Iron Maiden. Maiden were well received, although Sharon Osbourne was apparently angered by several onstage comments made by Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson about her family.

Sharon took vengeance and during the San Bernardino, California show (the final one with Iron Maiden, who would hand down their supporting slot to Velvet Revolver for the last 4 shows) arranged for road crews and daughter Kelly to throw eggs and various objects at the performing Iron Maiden. Some second stage bands, Bury Your Dead among others, were also reported to engage. Sharon managed to cut off Iron Maiden's PA at critical moments during their set. Sharon Osbourne then went onstage herself to call Bruce Dickinson a prick. At this point many Maiden fans walked out before Black Sabbath's set.

Criticism

Ozzfest has been criticized for being a corporative event, selling overpriced items such as Ozzfest T-shirts and games. Concert organizer Sharon Osbourne has been known to charge underground, not well-known bands large sums of money for a slot on the second stage. During an interview for E! Entertainment TV, about the money bands pay to be at the second stage, Sharon said, "If you believe in your band, you're gonna pay, then I take the money and buy myself something nice," which led people to believe that the money that bands invest doesn't go to pay for the actual tour expenses but to Sharon's own pocket. Even in an episode of MTV's "The Osbournes", Ozzy got mad with Sharon because she set two concerts one after the other and he believed that his voice was going to be affected by the hard schedule. He ended up saying to Sharon, "You only care about money." Also, she has been criticized for some acts that have performed on the main stage, such as Incubus and Crazy Town, because they are "not metal", which led people to assume that there was a financial interest behind their selection to play at the festival.

Ozzfest alumni by year

1996:

• Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Danzig, Biohazard, Sepultura, Fear Factory

• Second Stage:

Earth Crisis, Powerman 5000, Neurosis, Coal Chamber, Cellophane

1997:

• Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson, Pantera, Type O Negative, Fear Factory, Machine Head, Powerman 5000

• Second Stage:

Coal Chamber, Slo Burn, Drain STH, downset., Neurosis, Vision of Disorder

1998:

United States

• Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, Megadeth, Limp Bizkit, Soulfly, Sevendust, Coal Chamber, & a rotating slot for a second stage band to open the performances on the Main Stage.

• Second Stage:

Motörhead, System of a Down, The Melvins, Incubus, Snot, Life of Agony, Kilgore, Ultraspank, Monster Voodoo Machine

United Kingdom

• Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne, Foo Fighters, Pantera, Slayer, Soulfly, Fear Factory, Therapy? (who replaced KoЯn who pulled out in the run up to the festival.)

• Second Stage:

Coal Chamber, Life of Agony, Human Waste Project, Entombed, (hed)p.e., Pitchshifter

1999:

• Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Rob Zombie, Deftones, Slayer, Primus, Godsmack, System of a Down

• Second Stage:

Fear Factory, Static-X, Slipknot, (hed)p.e., Flashpoint, Pushmonkey, Drain STH, Apartment 26, Puya

2000:

• Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, Pantera, Godsmack, Static-X, Incubus, Methods of Mayhem, P.O.D., Queens of the Stone Age

• Second Stage:

Soulfly, Kittie, Disturbed, Taproot, Slaves On Dope, Reveille, Shuvel, Primer 55, Apartment 26, The Deadlights, Pitchshifter, Black Label Society, Crazy Town, Pumpjack

2001:

United States

• Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Papa Roach, Linkin Park, Disturbed, Crazy Town, Black Label Society

• Second Stage:

Mudvayne, The Union Underground, Taproot, Systematic, Godhead, Nonpoint, Drowning Pool, Spineshank, Hatebreed, Otep, No One, Pressure 4-5, American Head Charge, Pure Rubbish, Beautiful Creatures, Project Wyze (July 24th only)

United Kingdom

• Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Tool, Papa Roach, Soulfly, (hed)p.e., Raging Speedhorn

• Second Stage:

Disturbed, Amen, Mudvayne, Black Label Society, Pure Rubbish, Apartment 26, The Union Underground

2002:

United States

• Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, System of a Down, Rob Zombie, P.O.D., Drowning Pool (from July 12th-August 13th), Adema, Black Label Society, Tommy Lee (from August 15th-September 8)

• Second Stage:

Down, Hatebreed, Meshuggah, SOiL, Flaw, 3rd Strike, Pulse Ultra, Ill Niño, Andrew W.K., Glassjaw, The Used, Sw1tched, Otep, Lostprophets, The Apex Theory, Neurotica, Chevelle, Mushroomhead, Seether

European Venues

Rock Im Park

• Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, System of a Down, Bad Religion, P.O.D., Drowning Pool, Black Label Society

Braunschweig

• Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, Bad Religion, Such A Surge, Oomph!, Black Label Society

Donington

• Main stage: Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, System of a Down, Slayer, Lostprophets, Millencolin, Cradle of Filth, Drowning Pool, The Mad Capsule Markets, Black Label Society, AntiProduct
• Second stage: Hundred Reasons, Ill Niño, Kittie, American Head Charge, Mushroomhead, Otep, Cyclefly, Hell Is for Heroes, Danko Jones, Flaw, Skindred, Nonpoint, Pulse Ultra

Dublin

• Main stage: Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, System of a Down, Slayer, Therapy?, Lostprophets, Cyclefly, Drowning Pool, Skindive
• Second stage: Mushroomhead, Otep, American Head Charge, Ill Niño, Kittie, AntiProduct, The Revs, Superskin, Pulse Ultra

Katowice

• Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, Slayer, Decapitated

Prague

• Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, Drowning Pool, Metalium, Royal Playboy Cartel, Black Label Society, Škwor, Astro Metro

Nijmegen

• Main stage: Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, Slayer, Within Temptation, Kittie, Ill Niño, Drowning Pool
• Second stage: American Head Charge, Dreadlock Pussy, Mushroomhead, SOiL, .calibre, Otep, After Forever, AntiProduct
• Local stage: Nomen, Outburst, Wicked Mystic, Callenish Circle, Dimension Seven, Smogus, Agresión

Copenhagen

• Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, The Hellacopters

2003

• Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne, KoЯn, Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, Chevelle, The Datsuns

• Second Stage:

Cradle of Filth, Voivod, Hotwire, Shadows Fall, Grade 8, Twisted Method, Nothingface, Killswitch Engage, Unloco, Depswa, Motograter, Sworn Enemy, The Revolution Smile/Chimaira, Endo, Memento, E.Town Concrete

2004:

• Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Slayer, Dimmu Borgir, Superjoint Ritual, Black Label Society

• Second Stage:

Slipknot, Hatebreed, Lamb of God, Atreyu, Bleeding Through, Lacuna Coil, Every Time I Die, Unearth, God Forbid, Otep, Devildriver, Magna-Fi, Throwdown, Darkest Hour

2005:

United States

• Main Stage:

Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden (from July 15th - August 20th), Mudvayne, Shadows Fall, Black Label Society, In Flames, Velvet Revolver (from August 23rd - September 4th), Slipknot (August 20th only), Drowning Pool (August 25 only)

• Second Stage:

Rob Zombie, Killswitch Engage, As I Lay Dying, Mastodon, A Dozen Furies, The Haunted, Arch Enemy, The Black Dahlia Murder, Bury Your Dead, It Dies Today, Soilwork, Trivium, Gizmachi, Wicked Wisdom.

Ozzfest Download

Black Sabbath, Velvet Revolver, HIM, Anthrax, Alter Bridge, A, The Mad Capsule Markets, The Dwarves, Trivium

2006:

• Main Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne (On Select Dates), System of a Down, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Hatebreed, Lacuna Coil, DragonForce

• Second Stage:

Ozzy Osbourne (On Select Dates), Black Label Society, Atreyu, Unearth, Bleeding Through, Norma Jean

• Second Stage (rotating slots):

A Life Once Lost, The Red Chord, Walls of Jericho, Strapping Young Lad, All That Remains, Full Blown Chaos, Between the Buried and Me, Bad Acid Trip

External Links

• Official Ozzfest Website
• Fan pics from Ozzfest 2005
• Fan pics from Ozzfest 2006
• UnRated Magazine Review 2006 Ozzfest from July 16, 2006