Ozzy calls farewell to Ozzfest headline

[Guest *KNK*]

Ozzy Retires As Ozzfest Headliner: 'It's Time For Me To Move On'

08.12.2005 6:02 PM EDT

 

Singer's throat problems have dogged this summer's tour.

 

 

It's been rumored for months that this summer's Ozzfest would be its namesake's last — and on Friday, Ozzy Osbourne announced that he is retiring as the headliner of the annual heavy metal festival. However, the singer is expected to finish this summer's tour and plans to make occasional appearances at future Ozzfests.

 

"After 10 years, the Ozzfest's name and reputation have been established," he said in a statement. "It's time for me to move on and do other things." His publicist noted in a statement, "Ozzfest will carry on in 2006, however Ozzy will limit his performances to only a few, select cities."

 

Osbourne, who's been performing with Black Sabbath this summer as the tour's headliner, has been dogged by throat problems, which have forced the band to drop off of the bill on several recent dates (see "Ozzfest Date Postponed Due To Osbourne's Throat Trouble").

 

The August 7 concert — which had been slated for Somerset, Wisconsin's Float Rite Park Amphitheatre — was postponed until September 10 in an effort to give Osbourne time to rest his strained vocal chords; it will be the last date of this summer's trek. Sabbath have canceled three Ozzfest appearances so far this year — shows on July 27 in Holmdel, New Jersey, July 31 in Noblesville, Indiana and August 2 in Columbus, Ohio — as a direct result of Ozzy's stressed voice. Ticketholders for all three dates were offered full refunds, while co-headliners Iron Maiden were called upon to extend their set.

 

A review of Thursday's Ozzfest concert in Friday's (August 12) issue of the Tacoma, Washington, News Tribune provides an account of Osbourne's voice failing during "Dirty Women."

 

"Osbourne's voice cracked hideously during that number, and he responded by slamming his mike down and storming offstage," the review reads. "The rest of Sabbath remained cool and professional, continuing to jam until Ozzy could pull it together and return. The singer forced a grin that looked more like a grimace as he led the crowd in waving their hands side to side. He explained himself once the number had ended. 'My voice is ... blown out again,' he said, promising to go on if the crowd wanted to hear him."

 

No official explanation has been given for Osbourne's throat problems, and it is unknown how severe they may be.

 

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It's about time. Sabbath simply weren't Sabbath with Ozzy's voice being so shot lately and Its about time that Ozzy severely cuts down his performing schedule.

 

Not sure how much this would effect Ozzfest's draw appeal but I think it won't suffer to much because Sabbath is hardly the draw this year or last year where Judas Priest and Maiden were the obvious draws.

 

As long as they get a major name to perform and draw in the hardcore and scream-emo crowd they should be fine.

[King Kamala 0]

I had a dream where Ozzy died and Metallica replaced him as headliner of Ozzfest. I think Metallica would probably be a good fit, just as long as they don't bring a bunch of shite nu-metal bands with them.

[snuffbox 0]

Metallica would be perfect for ozzfest...they could just have linkin park, limp bizkit, and godsmack open for the again and call it a festival.

[King Kamala 0]

Yeah you're right Snuffy- Ozzfest already does kind have a fair share of nu-metal bands. But besides Metallica, there are no real hard rock or metal bands who can headline a festival at 30,000 seat summer sheds.

 

If we want to go on the themes of old guys, how about AC/DC? I mean they're not neccessarily metal but most metal heads like AC/DC.

[nl5xsk1 0]

If we want to go on the themes of old guys, how about AC/DC? I mean they're not neccessarily metal but most metal heads like AC/DC.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I've heard that Brian Johnson's voice is wicked shot, and he can't really sing enough to do a tour anymore. Which sucks because AC/DC is one of the bands that I'd love to see at this point. I saw them years ago, must have been 1989 or so, and while I loved the show I was just too young and not 'into' them enough to appreciate it like I would now.

 

Ozzy & Sabbath leaving Ozzfest makes me much more likely to go to a show next summer.

[Red Baron 0]

Well thats what you get trying to mimmick Bon Scott.

 

Anyways I really don't think there would be an Ozzfest the next year unless you can get some major artists in there now.

[Guest *KNK*]

Well thats what you get trying to mimmick Bon Scott.

 

Anyways I really don't think there would be an Ozzfest the next year unless you can get some major artists in there now.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Ozzfest will be fine as long as they keep packing in a large amount of bands that draw in the young crowds.

 

I don't believe Black Sabbath are even draws anymore because the appeal of seeing Sabbath is done now and everyone that hasn't went to see them and wanted to, probably never would have.

 

Ozzfest sells Ozzfest. It's the WrestleMania of Hard Rock and Metal and it's various sub-genres. It's not always the best show or have the best quality but the name attached to the festival is the draw.

 

They have done a great job attracting other bands to "open" for Sabbath, I don't think the Ozzfest planners are going to have any difficulties continuing attracting big name bands just because Ozzy and Sabbath aren't headlining anymore.

 

There's numerous bands that can be plugged into the headline spot, or perhaps they will use this as an opportunity to have revolving spots on the main stage instead of a definitive headliner.

 

Ozzfest will be fine for 2006, but it's going to be a test nontheless to see how a Ozzy free Ozzfest will work in 2007 and beyond.

 

Personally, I thought Gigantour was better then Ozzfest this year.

[Rendclaw 0]

I wished to all hell I could have gone to Gigantour, but I could not justify it, which sucks, because I haven;t seen Megadeth in almost ten years.