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I wouldn't go to Ozzfest.....

stevew

resident influencer
Sep 21, 2001
40,496
9,526
It gets more interesting: Manager of one of Ozzfest bands speaks
from blabbermouth.net

The manager of a well-known heavy metal band who attended this past weekend's Ozzfest show at the Hyundai Pavillion in Devore, California has submitted the following first-hand account of the evening that will surely go down as one of the most shameful moments in recent rock history (NOTE: at his request, the author's identity is being protected by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):

"Saturday night's Ozzfest at the Hyundai Pavillion near Los Angeles was a debacle on so many levels, I am still in shock as I write this. As a fan of many of the bands [Saturday] night, one can only hope this was an isolated incident, but sadly, it most likely wasn't. As many of you have heard already, co-headliners and metal legends IRON MAIDEN were pelted with eggs, bottle caps, beer cups, spit on, had people from the Ozzfest camp talking over the PA during their set, had 'Eddie' delayed from his onstage entrance, had members of the [BLACK LABEL SOCIETY] entourage rush the stage with American flags, and had the PA intentionally turned off over 6 times, all by the OSBOURNE CAMP.

"While it's still unclear as to the exact reasons why the terrorizing started (rumors abounded as to why, with everything from Bruce calling out Ozzy in the U.K. rock magazine Kerrang! on the widely known fact that Ozzy uses a teleprompter, to various vague references said on stage about a 'reality show' at an Ozzfest stop in Detroit), one thing was very clear: The whole thing stunk, and left me, and nearly all of the 40,000+ heavy metal fans in attendance angered and disappointed. Not that behind the scenes bickering or magazine trash talking is anything new to rock fans, but the shocking lack of professionalism at one of the largest stops in North America in front of 40,000 + spectators, at the hand of the Osbournes was nothing short of disgusting.

"It all began early in the afternoon, when many side stage bands were openly approached in clear view of everyone backstage by Sharon and Kelly Osbourne to 'join them in throwing eggs at IRON MAIDEN this evening.' All the bands were encouraged to rally the other side stage bands to do so. Members and/or friends of the hardcore band BURY YOUR DEAD were seen actively trying to encourage other side stage bands to 'join in the fun.' Thankfully, many side stage bands angrily declined.

"Later that evening, as IRON MAIDEN came on stage, their intro was interrupted by [BLACK LABEL SOCIETY] hanger-on and biker wannabe Big Dave, who was at the soundboard loudly chanting 'Ozzy, Ozzy' over the PA. MAIDEN opened their set and the entire band was pelted from the front row with eggs, beer, beer cups, spit, and various other objects by an Ozzfest-credentialed, bandana-wearing, Osbourne entourage. IRON MAIDEN, ever the professionals, continued through their set, and by the time they launched into their second song, 'The Trooper', Bruce changed into a civil war-era, red coat and began waving a Union Jack — British flag. Then, someone in, or associated with, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY tried to rush the stage waving and American Flag with the words 'Don't **** with Ozzy' scrawled across his bare chest. He was tackled and beaten by MAIDEN crew and promptly thrown off stage.

"As 'The Trooper' ended, frontman Bruce Dickinson, with characteristic spunk, launched into a scathing attack on the people terrorizing his band, calling them 'a sorry excuse for an Ozzy Osbourne fan,' and wondering aloud how, 'three dozen eggs could get snuck into the front row of Ozzfest by people with Ozzfest laminates?' Though he never named names, all in attendance could understand who he was referring to. Nicko McBrain ran up to the front asking Bruce to hold on while he cleaned egg off his drums. He then stated the the next song wouldn't be heard on 'Your local cocksucking corporate radio station, wouldn't be seen on MTV anymore, and sure as hell wouldn't be played on a ****ing reality TV show,' met by a huge roar from the crowd.

"During the song 'Hallowed Be Thy Name', Bruce, after only the first two lines, stopped singing and ran to the front row, firing back at his terrorizers, saying 'That asswipe right there, with the curly hair, the ****ing glasses, and Ozzfest laminate throw his ****ing ass out of here right now. It's gonna take more than eggs to stop IRON MAIDEN, and if it wasn't for a lawsuit, I'd rip your ****ing head off right now, you piece of ****!!!!' He had the various attackers ejected and continued with a blistering version of the song until right before the big sing long at the end, the PA was INTENTIONALLY cut off. When it came back, Bruce launched into another scathing attack saying that they were supposed to play a shorter set than normal today, and only play 55 minutes, but IRON MAIDEN can't drive 55, or play 55, and were going to play our whole ****ing set tonight.

"The band endured six more 'PA cuts,' including having the power to their amps turned off at one point. When the PA would come back on, they would simply launch into the next IRON MAIDEN classic, never missing a beat. Frankly, with every PA cut, the band just got meaner and meaner, playing each new song with an anger and a fire that was at times, simply astonishing to watch. Bruce began the introduction to IRON MAIDEN with a speech about 'Your constitution has something about 'We The People.' Well let me tell you, the only reason we are up here tolerating this bull****, is because of you people. You have been amazing Glen Helen, and there are A LOT of IRON MAIDEN fans here tonight,' eliciting a huge roar from the crowd. He continued, 'It's gonna take more than eggs to stop IRON MAIDEN, NOTHING is going to come between us and our fans, and it will be death before dishonor, this is 'Iron ****ing Maiden',' which was greeted by a thunderous applause. During 'Iron Maiden', longtime MAIDEN mascot Eddie was purposely delayed from making his entrance, making a brief appearance at the end, and one could only wonder as to how. As the band closed there set with a furious version of 'Sanctuary', the PA was again cut only to have Big Dave repeatedly chant 'Ozzy' over the PA, while the band tried to say goodbye to their fans. The now-furious crowd angrily drowned him out with chants of 'MAIDEN, MAIDEN.'

"Then, not 10 seconds after MAIDEN left the stage, Sharon Osbourne walked on stage and predictably, tried to give MAIDEN some fake, half-hearted praise about how they'd like to 'thank IRON MAIDEN,' and what a wonderful band IRON MAIDEN are, and how their crew were 'fantastic,' then sneering, 'But Bruce Dickinson is a *****.' The entire crowd, now fed up with the entire affair, began loudly booing her, pelting her with beer cups, and yelling 'bitch.' She tried to carry on, adding that 'Bruce had disrespected Ozzfest,' only to be drowned out by an ocean of boos, and soaked with beer. She slammed the microphone down and stormed off stage. Many in the crowd, fed up with what they had just witnessed, especially considering that many had come solely for MAIDEN, and paid upwards of $150 to do so, left in droves. SABBATH played to maybe half the audience that was there prior, and seemed stagnate compared to the band preceding them. As a huge fan of SABBATH, I honestly couldn't stand to watch them.

"I've seen IRON MAIDEN probably 10 times in my life, and frankly this was the very best IRON MAIDEN show I've had the pleasure of witnessing. You DON'T want to **** with IRON MAIDEN. The more the Osbournes tried to **** with them, the better they got! IRON MAIDEN was on ****ing overdrive! Considering the amount of terrorizing and intimidation that IRON MAIDEN had to deal with at the hands of the Osbournes and the other side stage and main stage bands participating, they were the consummate professionals. They had the crowd in the palms of their hands, and IRON MAIDEN and Bruce Dickinson proved beyond a shadow of a doubt why they are the greatest metal band on earth right now, and quite possibly, the classiest, too.

"The Osbournes are drunk with power. Shame on them, and shame on ANY of the bands that participated in the terrorizing and intimidation. It was disgusting display, that NO BAND should have had to endure, but especially a legend like IRON MAIDEN. That fact that it happened in front of 40,000+ people, at a Clear Channel-sponsored event, while Hyundai Pavilion Security turned a blind eye and let the Osbourne camp pelt one of the main headlining bands with eggs, beer, and spit, was simply inexcusable.

"I will proudly be attending next year's MAIDEN fest, and as much as I hate to say it, I can't bring myself to spend another dime on the Osbournes.

"Ozzfest, hang your head in shame."


Why can't Sharon and Ozzy die already.
 

Zark

Hey little girl, do you want some candy?
Oct 18, 2001
6,254
7
Reno 911
:angry: So pissed, that is B.S. NO ONE should EVER disrespect Maiden like that. Ozzy is a washed up has-been, and resorting to this crap make sme loose all respect for them and their camp. :stosh:
 

douglas

Chocolate Milk Doug
May 15, 2002
9,887
6
Shut up and Ride
If it was the best show of the 10 maiden shows hes seen before, then shouldnt he be thanking the osbournes??

I'd like to hear the other side of the story, or at least from someone else that saw the show
 

narlus

Eastcoast Softcore
Staff member
Nov 7, 2001
24,658
63
behind the viewfinder
another reason why i avoid big, hyped up, expensive shows. oh, the drama.

the ironic thing is that the guy was bitching about the unprofessionalism of the show, then claimed that because of that, IRON MAIDEN (love the caps, btw) put on the best show he's ever seen.

apparently it does take more than eggs to stop THE MIGHTY MAIDEN.

lmao.
 

Rockland

Turbo Monkey
Apr 24, 2003
1,870
262
Left hand path
narlus said:
my money says iron maiden.
Haha. :dancing: I would not be surprised by anything. I just went to that Blabermouth site for a sec. That's about all I could stand. It's to music discussion what Pinkbike is to bikes.
 

urbaindk

The Real Dr. Science
Jul 12, 2004
4,819
0
Sleepy Hollar
"Bruce changed into a civil war-era, red coat and began waving a Union Jack — British flag"

Did anyone else get confused by this statement? It took me a second but then I figured the author is probably British. Just a little trivia for you, British commonly refer to the American Revolution as the 'civil war'. Definately not what Americans think of as their 'civil war' or 'war between the states'.
 

OGRipper

back alley ripper
Feb 3, 2004
10,647
1,116
NORCAL is the hizzle
A little OT but funny: The only time I ever saw The Osbournes, they showed Ozzy checking out proposed new stage effects on some huge soundstage. They turned on a bubble machine and some other stupid crap that looked like it was left over from the last Culture Club tour. Ozzy flipped (in that dazed way only he can) and said: "Jesus farkin' christ, I'm the bloody prince of darkness and you give me bubbles!?! Bubbles!?!?!"

That was some funny shizz.
 

escapeartist

Turbo Monkey
Mar 21, 2004
1,759
0
W-S. NC
OGRipper said:
A little OT but funny: The only time I ever saw The Osbournes, they showed Ozzy checking out proposed new stage effects on some huge soundstage. They turned on a bubble machine and some other stupid crap that looked like it was left over from the last Culture Club tour. Ozzy flipped (in that dazed way only he can) and said: "Jesus farkin' christ, I'm the bloody prince of darkness and you give me bubbles!?! Bubbles!?!?!"

That was some funny shizz.
My favorite was the one when they were looking for one of their kajillion cats and it showed Ozzy picking up a box that was about 3inX2in and calling the cats name while he looked in it. Maiden is metal, Ozzy is a joke
 

valve bouncer

Master Dildoist
Feb 11, 2002
7,843
114
Japan
OGRipper said:
A little OT but funny: The only time I ever saw The Osbournes, they showed Ozzy checking out proposed new stage effects on some huge soundstage. They turned on a bubble machine and some other stupid crap that looked like it was left over from the last Culture Club tour. Ozzy flipped (in that dazed way only he can) and said: "Jesus farkin' christ, I'm the bloody prince of darkness and you give me bubbles!?! Bubbles!?!?!"

That was some funny shizz.
Yeah I saw that one...funniest part of the whole lot.