The BnR crew witnessed a thrice in a lifetime performance at Ozzfest on August 26th 2004. The main attraction, Ozzy Osbourne, was sidelined with bronchitis and Sharon pressed the Metal God, Rob Halford into service.

Some local asshole DJ (probably Cousin Ed) broke the news just before Sabbath's set. He had a very "special announcement." Ozzy would not be singing today, but we were about to witness a "once in a lifetime performance" with the legendary Rob Halford fronting the even more legendary Black Sabbath. While not 100% accurate, as Halford fronted Sabbath on two previous occasions; the contrived silver lining placated half of the crowd. Those who had attended to see only Ozzy kept a closed mind and left after a few songs (ahem, Bob.) The rest of us remained and enjoyed the novelty.

The performance was a little rough at times since the ad hoc lineup played before a surprised and skeptical crowd with no prior rehearsal. Halford missed a few vocal parts, but let's be honest; Ozzy couldn't front Judas Priest if Sharon threatened divorce. The rest of the band played with a renewed vigor in an attempt to win the crowd, and Iommi even changed up a few tired guitar solos. Post reunion Sabbath gets a little tedious if you see them more than once. They play the same set list, wear the same clothes and the arrangements are always predictable. I thought this spectacle was refreshing break from the Sharon Ozzborne autopilot era. They only way to get cheated was to leave early. Suckers!

Below is Sharon's explanation of this anomaly.

August 31, 2004
A NOTE FROM SHARON

To those who attended the Ozzfest show in Camden on August 26, I would like to address the few complaints that have arisen from Black Sabbath's performance with Rob Halford in Camden last Thursday, August 26th. The situation quite clearly was that Ozzy was suffering from bronchitis. He was hoping from the morning of the show until the afternoon that he would have some sort of voice so that he could perform that evening. Unfortunately by late afternoon he was advised by doctors that that just wouldn't be possible. So, our options were:

1. Have Black Sabbath not to perform at all and inform the crowd at 4:00 p.m. in the afternoon, which might have lead to a riot. or 2. Ask one of the legends of the genre, Rob Halford, if he would step in for Ozzy that evening so that people wouldn't leave feeling disappointed not seeing Black Sabbath perform at all.

Of course Ozzy's more disappointed than the fans and he feels incredibly guilty that he let everyone down.

Sincerely,

Sharon Osbourne

P.S. Ozzy and I would like to personally thank Gil Edwards and WYSP-FM for their enormous and continued support of OZZfest and hard rock music in Philadelphia.


Here is a video of Halford and Black Sabbath playing "Fairies Wear Boots," courtesy of Youtube. In the immortal words of that leather-clad metal head John Fogerty, "put me in coach, I'm ready to play."