The official spin regarding Ozzy Osbourne’s summer festival taking a hiatus this summer: Ozzy was struck with the inspiration to record the follow-up to his 2007 album Black Rain so hard, he simply had to postpone the package tour this summer so he could get something on whatever store shelves are standing come Black Friday 2009. And he can’t do it this spring, because he has a not very anticipated family variety hour to attend to!
Whether or not you swallow this spin, or are wondering if the cause behind the postponement is also rooted in the generally dismal market for festivals and the various snafus related to putting it on over the past two years, is I guess a testament to your personal commitment to the Prince Of Darkness. (Or your ability to put one and one together?) Let’s just hope that in these tough times, Rocklahoma can keep it together.
Ozzy puts Ozzfest on hold while making new album [Billboard]
Ozzy, Kermit and the back of HRH’s head? There’s a photo for the ages.
Of course the unanswered question in all of this is what does Geezer Butler do with his summer now?
@Mick Kraut: Given that there’s a new Heaven and Hell (aka Sabbath-with-Dio) album coming out at the end of April, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s got some plans.
Don’t worry. Rocklahoma is already scheduled.
[www.roadrunnerrecords.com]
@unperson: Why the hell arent I notified about these things?!?!?!
Thank you!
If there is one thing I can count on from my Okie brethren, it’s that we will keep Rocklahoma alive!
Shit, with all the casinos in Oklahoma an 80’s rock band can make a good chunk of change just by touring this state alone.
@Mick Kraut: What does Geezer Butler do with his summer? He works on improving his croquet game.
@Invisible Circus: I went to Ozzfest waaaaay back in 2001 — nearly got trampled during “Drowning Pool’s” set — and Ozzie was a laughable performer, just kind of puttering around, yowling and spraying a hose into the crowd. But there’s a certain mystique or something to seeing him stagger around mumbling Crazy Train that I think people dig about this.
@Mick Kraut:
The fact that I’m more excited about the Dio-era Sabbath lineup releasing an album than a new Ozzy album/tour/television spectacle is a pretty incisive and interesting commentary on the times in which we live.
I saw the ad for the new show…sigh.
Wasn’t there a year Ozzy wasn’t headlining Ozzfest? I’m sure people will still go if the line-up solid