'Ozzfest' is an annual tour of the
United States (and in some years,
Europe) featuring performances by many
Heavy Metal,
Metalcore,
Death Metal,
Hardcore and
Nu Metal groups. It was founded by
Ozzy Osbourne's wife
Sharon Osbourne. It is organized by Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and
Jack Osbourne, Ozzy's and Sharon's son.
History
Ozzfest concert poster on an empty storefront door in downtown
Prague, Czech Republic (Summer 2002).
The festival was created in 1996, when organizers of musical festival
Lollapalooza refused to let
Ozzy Osbourne join the tour.
[1] The tour was well-received, which prompted the festival becoming a yearly occurrence.
[2]
The first Ozzfest was not a national tour, but rather a two-day festival held in
Phoenix, Arizona and
Devore, California on October 25th and 26th, 1996 respectively.
[3]
In 1998, Ozzfest ventured outside the United States for the first time for the
United Kingdom, which featured a different lineup. The festival would eventually return to the UK in 2001
[3] and 2002
[5].
In 2002, Ozzfest expanded its borders into central Europe.
[6] Included were eight (originally 15) venues across
Germany,
Belgium, the UK, the
Czech Republic,
Poland and the
Netherlands (seven of these dates, including Lisbon, Milan, Zurich, Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg and Moscow were canceled however, due to
Zakk Wylde's physical and mental exhaustion
[7]).
The Revs canceled their Dublin performance, and all dates that would have featured
The Hellacopters were canceled as well. 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. Ozzy and Sharon hosted a show titled ''
Battle for Ozzfest'' where they chose eight out of hundreds of bands to compete for a spot on the following year's Ozzfest. Ozzy selected one member from each chosen band to "tag along" on the tour. Each contestant had to complete numerous challenges in order to improve his/her band's chances of winning the contest. Occasionally, meetings would be held and certain contestants would be eliminated for various reasons. The person who prevailed as the winner and guaranteed his band's spot on the Ozzfest tour was Marc Serrano from metalcore act
A Dozen Furies.
[8]
Free Fest
On February 7, 2007, it was announced that tickets to Ozzfest 2007 were going to be free of charge, dubbing the 2007 Ozzfest as "free fest."
[9] Tickets were available through sponsor websites, the Ozzfest web site and to those buying an advance copy of Ozzy Osbourne's new release, ''
Black Rain''.
Sponsorship money provided the revenue for the tour, but organizers did not pay any of the bands appearing. Organizer Ozzy Osbourne returned to the headlining slot on the tour after a one-year absence, but Ozzfest was unable to convince any well-established acts to join a tour that did not pay the bands.
There were problems with distribution of the free tickets. Fans were given codes to receive tickets through the official Ozzfest website, but due to the heavy load on
Live Nation's
secure servers, there were issues with ticket redemption. At the Detroit show fans were turned away near the end unless they had non-free tickets. Another problem was that many "
eBay scalpers" charged fans to pay for the free tickets, often turning out to be unusable duplicates of other tickets.
[10] Then, on July 26, Ozzfest gave away free tickets without requiring its "redemption code" previously required.
[11]
Ozzfest 2008
In July 2007, Sharon Osbourne confirmed that she is in the process for a reunion of the original lineup of
Black Sabbath in Ozzfest 2008, which will also charge paid admission. Some rumored bands are Slipknot, Rob Zombie, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, Black Label Society, As I Lay Dying, Job For A Cowboy, Karnivool, Protest The Hero, Divine Heresy, Naglfar, & The Confession.
The Stages at Ozzfest
The Main Stage
The Ozzfest main stage usually features more well-known acts, although many big names have appeared on both stages. The bands are usually paid great sums for appearing; bands like
System of a Down,
Iron Maiden, and
Disturbed have been paid up to $100,000 a night for performing on each stage. Usually, either
Ozzy or
Black Sabbath headlines the main stage. However,
System of a Down headlined the main stage in 2006 and
Iron Maiden headlined several dates in 2005 due to
Black Sabbath's inability to perform. Main stage co-headliners have included
Tool,
Rob Zombie,
Pantera,
Marilyn Manson,
Lamb of God,
Korn, and
Judas Priest. One band that was an exception to the rule of being well known, the band Black Tide was this exception since they were unable to play Second Stage.
The Second Stage
The second stage at Ozzfest features lesser-known bands, and is widely regarded as a launchpad for up and coming acts, such as
Mudvayne and
Behemoth. Many of the second stage acts later on appear on the main stage, such as
Hatebreed and
Lacuna Coil. Second Stage headliners have included
Motorhead,
Down,
Cradle of Filth, and
Slipknot.
Hatebreed for example actually played the main stage in
2006, but said they preferred the feel of the second stage, so in
2007 they headlined the 2nd stage often playing at the same time the opening act
Black Tide would be starting on the main stage.
Criticism
Josh Homme Controversy
Much controversy was generated when
Josh Homme of
Queens of the Stone Age was asked by
Blender, a U.S. music magazine, what his worst summer job was.
[12]
Homme stated:
"I won't be playing Ozzfest again - they treat the bands like shit... This year you get to play for free under the guise of, 'We're doing it for the fans!' But it's really for the people who fan Sharon and Ozzy with palm fronds at their house."
Sharon Osbourne responded by saying:
"I hope he gets syphilis and dies. I hope his dick fuckin' falls off so his mother can eat it."
[13]
Conflict with Iron Maiden at Ozzfest 2005
At
Iron Maiden's last Ozzfest performance, on
August 20, 2005 at the
Hyundai Pavilion at Glen Helen in
San Bernardino,
California, several negative events took place, which were the work of Sharon Osbourne. During the first song, several members of the crowd were paid by Sharon to bombard the British metal band Iron Maiden with eggs, bottle caps and ice. During three of Iron Maiden's songs, the P.A. system was switched off, cutting power to Dickinson's microphone and the band's instruments. In audio captured during the concert, it is reported that Dickinson can be heard accusing the festival's organizers of deliberately cutting off the band's power.
On Iron Maiden’s departure, Ozzfest founder Sharon did command the stage to make a few statements. She told the audience that while she "absolutely loved Iron Maiden", she thought lead singer
Bruce Dickinson was a "prick" and had "disrespected Ozzfest since they began their stint with the tour." Her words were met with booing, and soon after she walked off the stage.
[14]
Iron Maiden manager
Rod Smallwood issued a statement shortly after the debacle condemning the attack on the band.
[15] Sharon Osbourne's most recent mention of this event came on ''The
Opie and Anthony Show'' in 2007.
[16]
===2007
Holmdel Incident===
At the 2007 show on
August 16 in Holmdel, New Jersey at the
PNC Bank Arts Center, controversy was generated as 83 attendees were arrested at the show, most of them underage and arrested prior to 8:00. In addition, two men died, one after ingesting significant amounts of alcohol, marijuana and energy drinks. As of August 18th drinking in the parking lot has since been banned at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
[17]
Ozzfest alumni by year
[18]
Ozzfest 1996
★ 'Main Stage:'
Ozzy Osbourne,
Slayer,
Danzig,
Biohazard,
Sepultura,
Prong,
Fear Factory,
Neurosis, Narcotic Gypsy
★ 'Second Stage:'
Earth Crisis,
King Norris,
Powerman 5000,
Coal Chamber,
Cellophane
Ozzfest 1997
★ 'Main Stage:'
Ozzy Osbourne,
Black Sabbath,
Marilyn Manson (started June 15th),
Pantera,
Type O Negative,
Fear Factory,
Machine Head,
Powerman 5000
★ 'Second Stage:'
Coal Chamber,
Slo Burn,
Drain STH,
downset.,
Neurosis,
Vision of Disorder
Ozzfest 1998
United States
★ 'Main Stage:'
Ozzy Osbourne,
Tool,
Megadeth,
Limp Bizkit,
Soulfly,
Sevendust,
Coal Chamber
★ 'Second Stage:'
Motörhead,
System of a Down,
Melvins,
Incubus,
Snot,
Life of Agony,
Ultraspank,
Kilgore,
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,
(həd) p.e.,
Pitchshifter
Ozzfest 1999
★ 'Main Stage:'
Black Sabbath,
Rob Zombie,
Deftones,
Slayer,
Primus,
Godsmack,
System of a Down
★ 'Second Stage:'
Fear Factory,
Static-X,
Slipknot,
(həd) p.e.,
Flashpoint,
Pushmonkey,
Drain STH,
Apartment 26,
Puya
Ozzfest 2000
★ 'Main Stage:'
Ozzy Osbourne,
Pantera,
Godsmack,
Static-X,
Incubus,
Methods of Mayhem,
P.O.D.,
Queens of the Stone Age (cancelled August 24th through August 30th),
★ 'Second Stage:'
Soulfly,
Kittie,
Disturbed,
Taproot,
Slaves on Dope,
Reveille (through July 30th),
Shuvel,
Primer 55,
The Deadlights,
Pitchshifter,
Crazy Town,
Pumpjack (started August 4th),
Black Label Society (starting August 24th),
Apartment 26 (started August 4th)
Ozzfest 2001
United States
★ 'Main Stage:'
Black Sabbath,
Marilyn Manson (cancelled June 16th),
Slipknot,
Papa Roach,
Linkin Park,
Disturbed,
Crazy Town,
Black Label Society
★ 'Second Stage:'
Mudvayne (cancelled July 26th),
The Union Underground,
Taproot,
Systematic (through July 13th),
Godhead (through June 30th),
Nonpoint,
Drowning Pool (cancelled June 30th),
Spineshank (started July 3rd),
Hatebreed (cancelled June 18th and July 20th),
Otep (through July 13th),
No One (started July 14th, cancelled July 24th),
Pressure 4-5 (started July 14th),
American Head Charge (cancelled July 24th),
Pure Rubbish,
Beautiful Creatures,
Project Wyze (July 24th only),
Slaves on Dope (July 24th only)
United Kingdom
★ 'Main Stage:'
Black Sabbath,
Slipknot,
Tool,
Papa Roach,
Soulfly,
(həd) p.e.,
Raging Speedhorn
★ 'Second Stage:'
Disturbed,
Amen,
Mudvayne,
Black Label Society,
Pure Rubbish,
Apartment 26,
The Union Underground
Ozzfest 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
'Antwerp'
★
Ozzy Osbourne,
Tool,
System of a Down
'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 (Kildare)'
★ 'Main stage:'
Ozzy Osbourne (canceled),
Tool,
System of a Down,
Slayer,
Therapy?,
Lostprophets,
Drowning Pool,
Cyclefly,
Black Label Society
★ 'Second stage:'
Kittie,
American Head Charge,
Ill Niño,
Mushroomhead,
Skindive,
Hell Is for Heroes,
Superskin,
Pulse Ultra,
Flaw,
Otep,
AntiProduct
'Katowice'
★
Ozzy Osbourne,
Tool,
Slayer,
Decapitated
'Prague'
★
Ozzy Osbourne,
Tool,
Drowning Pool,
Metalium,
Royal Playboy Cartel,
Black Label Society,
Škwor,
AntiProduct,
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,
After Forever,
Otep,
AntiProduct
★ 'Local stage:'
Nomen,
Outburst,
Wicked Mystic,
Callenish Circle,
Dimension Seven,
Smogus,
Agresión
Ozzfest 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
Ozzfest 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
Ozzfest 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
Ozzfest 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
Ozzfest 2007
[19]
'Main Stage'
Ozzy Osbourne,
Lamb of God,
Static-X,
Lordi,
Black Tide (started August 10th)
'Second Stage'
Hatebreed,
Behemoth,
Nick Oliveri and the Mondo Generator (July 12-22),
DevilDriver (started August 2nd)
'Second Stage (Rotating Slots)'
Nile,
Ankla,
Circus Diablo (July 12-August 1),
The Showdown,
3 Inches of Blood,
DÅÅTH,
In This Moment,
Chthonic,
Egypt Central (Select Dates)
Compilations
★ 1997: ''Ozzfest, Vol. 1: Live''
[20]
★ 2001: ''Ozzfest 2001: The Second Millennium''
[21]
★ 2001: ''Ozzfest: Second Stage Live''
[22]
★ 2002: ''Ozzfest 2002 Live''
[23]
★ 2005: ''Ozzfest: Tenth Anniversary'' (
DVD/
CD)
[24]
Guest Appearances
★
Henry Rollins - preceded the main stage with a spoken-word performance in 1997.
[25]
★ Benji Webbe (ex-
Dub War/
Skindred) - appeared with Soulfly at their UK dates in 1998.
[26]
★
Evan Seinfeld - sang with Pantera on "Walk" in 2000 at the PNC Bank Arts Center.
★
Verne Troyer - actor who played Mini Me, appeared onstage with Pantera at Pine Knob (now DTE Energy Music Theater) in Clarkston, Mi on July 12th, 2000.
★
John Dolmayan - appeared with Tool in 2002 at the Antwerp and Dublin dates, performing "Triad."
[27]
★ George Oosthoek (ex-
Orphanage) - appeared with Within Temptation during "The Other Half (Of Me)" at Nijmegen in 2002.
[28]
★
Dave Lombardo - appeared with Slayer at Nijmegen in 2002 (filling in for Paul Bostaph who had an elbow injury) and also with Tool.
[29]
★
Mike Bordin - performed with Tool at Donnington and Nijmegen in 2002.
[30]
★
Zakk Wylde - performed with Soil on "Halo" in 2002.
[31]
★
Kelly Osbourne - performed with Andrew W.K. on "She Is Beautiful" in 2002.
[32]
★
Rob Halford - appeared with Black Sabbath on August 26, 2004 in Camden, replacing an ill Ozzy.
[33]
★
Howard Jones - appeared with Throwdown in 2004.
★
Will Smith and
Jada Pinkett Smith - appeared with Bury Your Dead in 2005.
[34]
Notes
1. Fisher, Mark. Ozzfest’s ‘Freefest’ rolls into area Aug. 24. ''Times West Virginian'': August 15, 2007.
2. Ozzy Osbourne Biography
3. http://www.smnnews.com/ozzfest-date-lineup-history-from-1996/
4. http://www.smnnews.com/ozzfest-date-lineup-history-from-1996/
5. http://www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/webpages/ozzfestx21x05x02
6. http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/article/?id=40086
7. [1]
8. http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/battle_for_ozzfest/series.jhtml#bio
9. http://ozzfest.com/blog/entry/3
10. http://ozzfest.com/blog/entry/25
11. http://ozzfest.com/blog/entry/49
12. HOMME AND OSBOURNE FALL OUT OVER OZZFEST. ContactMusic.com: April 16, 2007.
13. Gibson, Doug "deathbringer". Sharon Osbourne Blasts Queens of the Stone Age Frontman Josh Homme Over Comments About Ozzfest 2007. Metal Underground: April 17, 2007.
14. Harris, Chris. Iron Maiden Pelted With Eggs At Final Ozzfest Performance MTV: August 22, 2005. Last accessed October 7, 2006.
15. ''Iron Maiden Manager's Official Statement Regarding Ozzfest Feud'' KNAC: August 23, 2005.
16. ''For the record: Sharon Osbourne'' — mtv.com
17. Thompson, Brian. Booze Banned After 2 Die, 83 Arrested At N.J. Concert. WNBC: August 17, 2007.
18. http://ozzfest.com/static_content/view/alumni.html
19. http://ozzfest.com/static_content/view/bands.html
20. All Music Guide - Ozzfest, Vol. 1: Live - Overview
21. All Music Guide - Ozzfest 2001: The Second Millennium: Overview
22. All Music Guide - Ozzfest: Second Stage Live - Overview
23. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hifuxqealdke
24. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:39fqxqldldte
25. [2]
26. [3]
27. [4]
28. [5]
29. [6]
30. [7]
31. [8]
32. [9]
33. [10]
34. [11]
External links
★
Official website
★
Ozzfest '98 Tour diary, photos and interviews
★
UnRated Magazine Review 2006 Ozzfest from July 16, 2006
★
Audio clips from June 2007 of Ozzy talking about free Ozzfest, when he'll retire, his new album and more.
★
Ozzfest News Coverage - 2 New Jersey Deaths at Ozzfest 2007
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