Maiden egged at Ozzfest...

[knut]

"Last night's [August 20] headlining performance of IRON MAIDEN at Ozzfest in San Bernardino, CA rendered some interesting if not disturbing results. Although MAIDEN played one hell of a show, they were under attack from the moment they began their set. From the time they hit the stage, they suffered power loss on at least three occasions and they were continuously pelted with ice, bottle caps, and eggs among other things. Vocalist Bruce Dickinson was even spit on by one attendee. He seemed to believe these occurrences were not by accident and insinuated that they had been planned from the beginning of the night. He also encouraged the other audience members to break the arm of anyone that they saw throwing things their way. Upon concluding their performance the Emcee for the evening began to chant Ozzy, Ozzy while Bruce was still speaking. Bruce retaliated by chanting MAIDEN. After he left the stage Sharon Osbourne took over the mic and informed the crowd that they absolutely loved IRON MAIDEN and their crew and stated that they were all wonderful but that their singer Bruce Dickinson was a prick and had disrespected Ozzfest since they began their stint with the touring summer festival. This of course came as a shock to those of us in attendance and the there was ample confusion and speculation from audience members there after. As previously announced last night's show marked the final performance of IRON MAIDEN on this year's Ozzfest. VELVET REVOLVER will be taking over their slot on the last remaining dates."

I was ****ing disgusted when I read this. Whats Sharon doing? Idiot. Basically, she can't take that Maiden have been doing better than Black Sabbath have been on that American tour. No surpise, really, Ozzy practically butchers the songs nowadays with his singing.

And its also no suprise on the booing, really. Judging by half of most the line up, I'd say most the crowd were all hardcore metalcore fans. Explains itself really that they wouldn't like any remotely good music so they'd take it out on Maidens set.

More details from a Metallica-board forum member who was at the gig:

Just got back from Ozzfest in San Bernadino, CA....

The whole day and night was great! But I must share something...

Iron Maiden was by far the best act, but something strange happened. First off, there was some guy chanting OZZ-Y! OZZ-Y! over the PA just before Iron Maiden started... it actually sounded like a sampled voice. They were using it a lot throughout the day to get people into the show (the whole crowd would chant OZZ-Y for whatever reason during the breaks between bands)

Second off, 3 or 4 times during the show the PA cut out on Maiden, right at very important parts of songs, forcing Maiden to move on to the next song once the power came back. Basically, it seemed like someone was shutting them off on purpose...

Then it got really weird. At the very end of the show, when everyone was chanting "MAID-EN! MAID-EN!" the sampled voice came on again chanting "OZZ-Y! OZZ-Y"... truly was a ****ed up thing imo. It didn't sway the crowd though.. EVERYONE was chanting for Maiden. Their performance was seriously insane. I was astonished with Bruce's precsence. I mean I've seen videos and everything, but WOW was he good. I didn't hear one off key note.... He can definitely still sing the highest notes of the songs!

Anyway, here's the best part. SHARON OSBOURNE comes out and says something to the effect of "I want you all to thank the Iron Maiden crew for putting on a great show..... But I want you to know that Bruce Dickinson is a prick! We brought Iron Maiden you, the fans, and all this and he has been a prick since he got here!"

When she was done with her rant the crowd continued to CHANT: "MAID-EN". I could hear people saying how it was ****ed up Maiden got shut off all those times... No one gave a shit for what Sharon said... and I didn't either. I don't care if Bruce did anything, I got the privelege to see Iron Maiden play a truly awesome show.

Me and about a 1/4 to a 1/3 of the crowd left after Iron Maiden was finished. I heard the first Sabbath song and Ozzy seriously can't sing or talk anymore. He's way off key a lot and i cant even tell if he knows the lyrics. You don't understand what he's saying between songs either. I didnt expect better though so I was happy to leave before hearing their whole set....

Iron Maiden owned the night.

Urgh.

 

[Evo]

Dude, like wtf? Maiden are amazing anyself respecting music fan should be honoured to see them live. Yeah Ozzy's voice is appalling nowadays, and to be frank, it was never that good in the first place. Sharon is a stupid bitch that is afraid of another band being bigger than her husband. ****wits!!

/rant

 

[Axyon]

Half of the bands metalcore? I'd say more than that, easily. Heck, the only band I'd want to see out of that lineup is Arch Enemy, as they're actually a metal band and possess talent (I respect Maiden and Sabbath, but I'm not a fan of their music at all).

 

[knut]

Half of the bands metalcore? I'd say more than that, easily. Heck, the only band I'd want to see out of that lineup is Arch Enemy, as they're actually a metal band and posess talent (I respect Maiden and Sabbath, but I'm not a fan of their music at all).

I meant to say ''half or more'' but it came out ''of'' instead of ''or'', I haven't examined the line up fully, just took a glance at it. It didn't tempt me at all, plus being in America n' all.

 

[SenorDingDong]

wtf? **** sharon. Just cause Maiden slayed every other performace there, she gets all jealous? She can go **** herself, I would love to hear what Bruce would say about this, he must have been ****ing pissed, he doesn't take kindly at all to shit like this.

Well Sharon just ruined any chance of Maiden coming back to America for awhile.

 

[mortiz]

Shazzfest sucks ass, Sharon Osborne is an idiot who is too preoccupied making crappy corporate artists with the X-Factor. She’s a money grabbing whore who only met Ozzy after he’d already done his best work, from then on he’s gone down hill.

I hope whoever was throwing stuff from the crowd received brutal beatings. It was obviously a very small minority, I'm sure everyone else was enjoying the show.

 

[Laivasse]

Shazzfest sucks ass, Sharon Osborne is an idiot who is too preoccupied making crappy corporate artists with the X-Factor. She’s a money grabbing whore who only met Ozzy after he’d already done his best work, from then on he’s gone down hill.

I hope whoever was throwing stuff from the crowd received brutal beatings. It was obviously a very small minority, I'm sure everyone else was enjoying the show.

QFE. Sharon Osbourne doesn't know a shitting thing about real music.

I'm not exactly a fan of Maiden, but I sure as hell know what an abortion Ozzfest has turned into with clowns like Sharon at the helm, hungry for their $$$. I thought she was meant to have cancer or something? Or was that just another ruse for publicity? Why doesn't she just piss off the planet and make everyone a bit happier. To hell with Ozzfest.

 

[mortiz]

Sharon had a right to have an opinion about Bruce, hell, Bruce makes his opinions known all the time in his rants. But messing with their show by turning the PA's off, planting someone in the audience to throw eggs (which is what the people at the show think must have happened since there was a high level of security) and getting some idiot to shout "Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy" over their show is unforgivable. She ruined the show not just for Maiden but for the fans as well.

 

[SenorDingDong]

It was all ****ing setup by Sharon.

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=40691

Read this, un****ing believable, apparently Kelly Osbourne was throwing some of the eggs, read the link.

Listen to these: What Bruce Dickinson said about it all

http://notaspinoff.net/hooligan/bruce1.mp3 - near the start of show
http://notaspinoff.net/hooligan/bruce2.mp3 - near the end of the show, listen to how ****ing mad he sounds in his voice, though they still played their entire set, and put on one hell of a show ive heard despite all the bullshit being done to them.

What Sharon said about Bruce: af ter maiden finished their set.

http://notaspinoff.net/hooligan/sharon.mp3

 

[Laivasse]

Totally bizarre. Reinforces my hate towards Sharon, at any rate.

 

[Space Farm]

Sharon was the worst thing to happen to Ozzy. Kind of like Yoko and Lennon, Biatch.

 

[J_Tweedy]

There must've been something to really piss her off tho surely? Or is she really that much of a blatant bitch?

 

[SimonomiS]

There must've been something to really piss her off tho surely? Or is she really that much of a blatant bitch?

Apparently he was "disrespecting Ozzfest" and slagging off the tour. Still, no need to pull that kind of shit.

 

[SenorDingDong]

Apparently he was "disrespecting Ozzfest" and slagging off the tour. Still, no need to pull that kind of shit.

he really wasnt. He made a joke about the Osbournes reality TV show at the Detroit Ozzfest or something apparently. And he also jokingly said Ozzfest is turning into Maidenfest because Ozzy was sick for a long time, and didnt perform.

 

[Dinkleberry]

Wouldn't it be funny if Sharon got assaulted at ASDA with a shopping trolley?

 

[VictimOfScience]

Wow. I just found out about this and am disgusted but not completely surprised. Sharon is a money-grubbing, controlling b*tch and has been spoiled rotten by the power she has had over Ozzy lo these many years. She was the one that created Ozzfest in the first place and it has always been pretty much garbage in my book. Apart from some great acts like Slayer and Maiden, the metalcore and nu-metal atmosphere has been very alienating for fans of great and true metal. I mean, do any metal festivals in Europe have Jada Pinkett Smith's new band playing??? :rolling:

Remember, Sharon used to manage the Smashing Pumpkins too and this is her quote about severing that relationship: "...I must resign due to medical reasons... Billy Corgan was making me sick!" Apparently she doesn't do well when she has to deal with intelligent front men who don't let her walk all over them. She is a bad influence on Ozzy and always has been and has only been in it for the money--why do you think they would do that ungodly television show in the first place???

Sure, Bruce has a strong personality as everyone knows it, but Sharon has to have her way or she turns into a spiteful, vindictive baby. Just watch one episode of The Osbournes and you can see that(but don't watch any episodes of that rubbish). It must hurt her to see Dickinson so vibrant and full of energy and talent while Ozzy can just mumble and try to put on a good show. Plus, Maiden is still making very viable music whereas Sabbath isn't exactly. Pity really. Sabbath was great, but no more please.

 

[StardogChampion]

The crowd was probably filled with 14 year old ICP fans. It doesn't surprise me.

We have to go back in time to listen to good music nowadays.

 

[CptStern]

sacriledge, blasphemy!!!

sharon is an ass but maiden shouldnt even be on tour with those wanna posing hacks ...velvet revolver? god what poseur crap ..maiden was the best thing about the tour the other groups dont even deserve to be on the same stage as them. I like Sabbath but they havent been the same since ozzy left them the first time around ...now they're just a joke trying to cash in on Ozzy's recent fame

 

[Seppo]

Sharon was the worst thing to happen to Ozzy. Kind of like Yoko and Lennon, Biatch.

Actually, if it wasn't for Sharon, Ozzy probably wouldn't have gotten a record deal after leaving Sabbath.
And Sabbath's two first albums with Dio were pretty good. A lot better than the last with Ozzy.

 

[KagePrototype]

http://brucebeerthrower.ytmnd.com/

 

[mortiz]

Actually, if it wasn't for Sharon, Ozzy probably wouldn't have gotten a record deal after leaving Sabbath.
And Sabbath's two first albums with Dio were pretty good. A lot better than the last with Ozzy.

Still nowhere near Sabbath quality. Yes, if it wasn't for Sharon Ozzy probably would have OD'd, she pulled him up from the pits. However, I still think she should have stayed out of his professional life and just made sure he was alright in his private one.

 

[CptStern]

I'm pretty sure ozzy was a raging alcoholic ...he may have done coke but that wouldnt put him in the condition he is today ...booze does that to you

 

[Pressure]

I would have decked anyone I saw throwing anything at Maiden.

 

[Top Secret]

Half of the bands metalcore? I'd say more than that, easily. Heck, the only band I'd want to see out of that lineup is Arch Enemy, as they're actually a metal band and possess talent (I respect Maiden and Sabbath, but I'm not a fan of their music at all).

Arch Enemy was amazing. Trivium can't sing. And Rob Zombie gave me the show of my life. And I feel the same about Sabbath and Maiden.

Still nowhere near Sabbath quality. Yes, if it wasn't for Sharon Ozzy probably would have OD'd, she pulled him up from the pits. However, I still think she should have stayed out of his professional life and just made sure he was alright in his private one.

If you knew anything about Sharon, you'd know she is a financial genius. She IS Ozzfest. Or was...

 

[mortiz]

If you knew anything about Sharon, you'd know she is a financial genius. She IS Ozzfest. Or was...

The fact that she's placed Ozzy's pay check above the quality of his music is bad enough. She's done it on several occasions. The music matters little to Sharon. She even charged the bands who played on Ozzfest $30,000 each to get their names placed on T-Shirts. (There's a rumour that Maiden refused to pay up which contributed to Sharon's back lash). Personally I couldn't care less how much money Ozzy makes, I just want him to make good music.

I'm pretty sure ozzy was a raging alcoholic ...he may have done coke but that wouldnt put him in the condition he is today ...booze does that to you

You can also OD on Alcohol. It's just a drug at the end of the day. It's just the effects of the OD take longer to show.

 

[Top Secret]

The fact that she's placed Ozzy's pay check above the quality of his music is bad enough. She's done it on several occasions. The music matters little to Sharon. She even charged the bands who played on Ozzfest $30,000 each to get their names placed on T-Shirts. (There's a rumour that Maiden refused to pay up which contributed to Sharon's back lash). Personally I couldn't care less how much money Ozzy makes, I just want him to make good music.

Whether she charges the bands or not, she CREATED Ozzfest. It wouldn't be there to charge the bands if she hadn't been there to create it.

 

[Stigmata]

Whether she charges the bands or not, she CREATED Ozzfest. It wouldn't be there to charge the bands if she hadn't been there to create it.

She's still a bitch, regardless.

 

[T.H.C.138]

I went and saw Maiden here in Northern California a year or 2 ago and at the end of the show,Bruce stood there and told us to go home and download the new(at the time) album, because Maiden doesn't give a shit, they just want to please their fans..

"pretty sure he was a raging alcoholic" ?!? what drugs DIDN'T Ozzy do to an excess? remember he has been "rocking" since the early 70's at least..maybe even earlier...

and cocaine will **** you up in many ways..make you sound like your tongue is too big for your mouth,real thick and slow slurred speech..my half sister was a cokehead for a long time..been clean for about 9-10 years now and she still sounds "retarded"..

it also causes parkinsons-like shakes,and many other wonderful things..just look at Michael J. Fox to see some of cocaines permanent effects

 

[Top Secret]

Here's an update.

http://www.ozzfest.com/news_2005.html

Sharon writes a personal message to describe what happened. **** Iron Maiden.

 

[CptStern]

she had me till she said this:


"It also offended me every night how he took out the English flag in America"


wtf is he not supposed to honour his country? americans would have a field day if an american was criticised for displaying his flag in a foreign country

 

[StardogChampion]

If any non-UK people didn't know - Sharon is 1 of 3 judges on a show called X Factor. It's a rip-off of Pop Idol/American Idol using the exact same format. Simon Cowell is one of the other judges too, the new series just started. She's a sad little woman.

The only reason it's called X Factor is because they didn't want to pay Ant & Dec's high wages to present another Pop Idol.

Anyway, she kinda makes out that Bruce Dickinson is some kind of nutter, but I've seen enough DVD extra footage/interviews with him and he seems like a perfectly normal guy with a nice family, unlike the Osbournes who all seem to be retards.

When you do the 'hits' tour here [in the U.S.], the audience is smug, and there's a sense of self-satisfaction, like, 'We got what we wanted…I'm looking at an audience that is self-satisfied and happy and fat, and getting what it wants and isn't prepared to get off its ass..

Haha, nice one.

 

[SenorDingDong]

she had me till she said this:


"It also offended me every night how he took out the English flag in America"


wtf is he not supposed to honour his country? americans would have a field day if an american was criticised for displaying his flag in a foreign country

The flag is a stage act, during the song "The Trooper". Anyone who gets offended by it is a complete moron. Its just a prop, theyve been doing it for over 20 years....

 

[CptStern]

you mean during the concert iteself? I thought he had it in his trailer. Never did like Sharon

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

Displaying another nation's flag here isn't a sign of disrespect at all. We've done it since we were formed with the French and Spanish even originally during the Revolution.

In fact, the flag regulations for flying them and such even have this stated, it's fine and can be a sign of solidarity, just don't run them up a flagpole flying above the US Flag.

 

[Revisedsoul]

Iron Maiden's Press Release

23/08/2005OZZFEST - SAN BERNARDINO AUG 20

Maiden are currently returning from America and preparing for UK festivals this weekend and don't wish to waste time giving Sharon Osbourne's statement the dignity of a reply. Considering the disgraceful nature of the events that occurred they feel it's a pretty dismal effort at self justification and they don't think Metal fans are at all gullible and that they will easily see through it. They want no more to do with this sorry incident and are very much looking forward to headlining Reading and Leeds Festivals this weekend.

I would however like to add my own comment on this.

In 30 years in this business and after attending hundreds of gigs l have never seen anything anywhere near as disgusting and unprofessional as what went on that night. I was standing on our sound desk out front as usual but ran to the stage as soon as the hail of missiles began and from then on watched from the front of the stage right next to Bruce's walkway. The scale, viciousness and concentration of the throwing made it obvious that this was a premeditated and co-ordinated attack. Assaulting musicians while performing by throwing bottle tops, lighters and eggs at them from just a few yards away is vile, dangerous, criminal and cowardly. It is incredible that Ozzfest security apparently did nothing about it - aren't they there to protect the bands too? Especially when the band is concentrating on a performance in front of 45,000 people and the missiles are coming out of the glare of the spotlights. And to spit at a band on stage is unforgivable.

Iron Maiden, like all the bands on Ozzfest, had to sign quite onerous legal documents part of which was promising not to throw anything into the audience, even wristbands!!! Ironic isn't it.

It is well documented on the web who was responsible for planning and participating in this attack and for musicians to join in this assault on other musicians is a shocking disgrace akin to treachery. You should all be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves.

We know who authorised the making of the 'ozzy - ozzy' chant tape the day before and how it was played secretly through the PA at the very beginning and end of our set.

We also know who continually turned off the power interrupting our set at crucial moments. It is a good thing that the power was turned back on before there was a riot as you could sense on stage a lot of the huge audience were getting totally pissed off at this continual onslaught on the band.

The great majority of the Ozzfest crew throughout the tour were terrific and we thank them. Those who participated or stood idly by and watched as this all went down should also be ashamed of themselves and l would certainly hope they never come near a tour with which we are involved.

There is little point in my commenting on the chap with the flag or their trying to hold up Eddie or Sharon's speech as the audience made their feelings very clear on each occasion.

And in the end what was all this about?? If l had any sort of problem or misunderstanding with a band working on a tour we were involved in l would go and talk to them or their manager - not wait until the end of a tour and assault and ambush them. Or was that really it?

I find it staggering that this ambush would take place in front of any audience, let alone in San Bernardino, the biggest audience of the tour. Didn't that audience merit any consideration? They pay an awful lot to be there in terms of prices for tickets, parking, food, beer etc. Surely if they spend this sort of money they deserve to watch the bands they paid to see be able to put in a full unhindered performance. Free of danger and intimidation. If I had paid I would ask for my money back!

And this audience really were outstanding, giving the band incredible support and many voting with their feet in disgust after the set and the speech, which to many was the final insult.

I have to say l was immensely proud of Maiden who stood up to it all and showed great courage and just got better and better through the adversity. Their heads never dropped, instead they went on the offensive. It was a truly memorable moment when Bruce went to the very front of the stage during Trooper - something which he never normally does as he is usually on the ramps - waving the flag whilst avoiding the hail of missiles and yelling 'This is a ****ing British flag, and these colours don't ****ing run!'. The imperturbable attitude and ability of the band shone through and in the end made this a truly remarkable rock and roll event, even if for all the wrong reasons.

We will have no more to say on this matter except that l do think the band deserve an apology from a number of people, and you know who you are.

ROD SMALLWOOD
MANAGER, IRON MAIDEN
CHAIRMAN, SANCTUARY ARTIST MANAGEMENT