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IRON MAIDEN GETS EGGED AT OZZFEST: A NOBODY'S OPINION
by George Dionne

You’ve probably all heard about the situation that occurred during Iron Maiden’s final performance as Ozzfest on August 20th in San Bernardino, California. If not, let me catch you up to speed.

Apparently upset over continuous negative statements that Bruce Dickinson had made about Ozzy and his family over the course of the tour, Sharon Osbourne allegedly orchestrated events to sabotage Maiden’s final performance. The alleged statements that she was offended by was that Dickinson would state things like “you’ll never see Iron Maiden on a reality show”, “you’ll never see Iron Maiden on MTV”, and “we’re not some kind of reunion band”. She has also stated that Dickinson would complain about the sound system and other tour related items.

Feeling insulted, Sharon Osbourne’s solution was this: during Iron Maiden’s entrance music, the soundman played an Ozzy chant. Once Iron Maiden took the stage, they were pelted by dozens of eggs, bottle caps, cups of beer, and whatever else, by people planted in the front row by the Osbourne camp. Several times throughout Maiden’s performance someone kept cutting the PA. When Dickinson took the stage for “The Trooper” clad in a British Solider outfit and British Flag (like he does every time), one of the members of the Osbourne camp came on stage wearing a jacket that said ‘don’t fuck with Ozzy’ and waving an American flag. At the conclusion of the set, the Ozzy chant was replayed while Dickinson tried to speak to the crowd. Despite all the distractions, Iron Maiden played on as if nothing was happening.

At the conclusion of the set, Sharon took the stage to say how nice everyone in Iron Maiden was, how great their crew was, and everyone was so great except for Bruce Dickinson. She called him a “prick”. The crowed booed her off the stage. In fact, the crowd was pretty upset during the whole debacle. Sharon has gone on record to state that she did orchestrate the whole thing. She stated that Bruce deserved what he got for disrespecting the tour and her husband. She also said that she was appalled that he would wave the British flag on American soil because we have troops fighting side by side with the British, losing their lives over in Iraq. Even guitarist Zakk Wylde has chimed in stating, “You act like a c**t, you get treated like a c**t! He's talking about the godfather of my son”.

Alright, first things first; isn’t this supposed to be a professional business? I mean, Sharon is the promoter of this concert and it’s her responsibility to make sure the ticket buying fans get what they want. I’m sure that even the most die-hard Ozzy fan thought this was uncalled for. How old is Sharon anyway? 50-55 maybe? She knows better than to act like a 12 year old when people don’t kiss her ass or rub her the wrong way. I’m sure that there are plenty of bands and lead singers that bitch, moan, and grown about stuff backstage, but that’s where it’s supposed to stay. This is the entertainment industry. When the curtain opens, it’s time for the show. Take Pink Floyd for instance; despite all of their issues, they went on stage for Live 8 like everything was cool between them. How about the old scenario where you think that you’re favorite musician is the greatest thing in the world, but when you finally meet him you find out he’s a jerk. That façade on stage is what entertainment is all about. Sharon chose to bring out the backstage crap that should always remain backstage.

What Sharon orchestrated in San Bernardino was childish, unprofessional, and utterly disgusting. It’s no wonder her kids are so messed up, she hasn’t even grown up yet. Then she tries tugging at the patriotic sympathy strings by making the statement about Dickinson and the British flag. First of all, Bruce has been doing that since “The Trooper” came out, and Sharon…you’re from England!! Oh yeah, she said it herself that we’re fighting side by side with the British, so how would this be insulting? It’s funny that Sharon has forgotten rather quickly who covered her ass when Ozzy’s voice shit the bed this tour. Iron Maiden didn’t have to extend their set, but they did. I’m sure this is what the whole beef was about anyway.

Anyone who’s been to Ozzfest in the last three years knows that Ozzy just doesn’t have it anymore; although I question if he ever did. He’s never had a hit record. He’s more famous for biting the head off a dove and snorting ants off the sidewalk back in the day. The only reason he’s relevant today is because of The Osbourne’s reality show, which in all honesty, puts them all in a bad light. Sure they’re happy the way they are, but most people know that’s not the normal or proper way to act. Poor Ozzy needs to focus more on his health then everything that Sharon drags him around to do. He’s just a shell of a man that does whatever she says. Cash in now, because the fifteen minutes have already run out.

As far as what Zakk Wylde said, he’s saying the whole thing was justified because a “c**t” deserves that kind of treatment, and because he insulted his son’s godfather. How does that make sense? Zakk, what do you deserve for making your audience wait up to two hours for you to take the stage sometimes? Black Label Society certainly isn’t Guns and Roses. What do you deserve for causing fights and walking off stage during some of your shows? You really want Ozzy taking care of your son if something should happen to you and you’re wife? Have you met the Osbourne children?

Don’t get me wrong, I respect Ozzy and Zakk as far as their music goes, but not so much their actions and views of this situation. Iron Maiden took the high road and played as if nothing was happening. That was the right thing to do. If Sharon was so upset about Dickinson’s behavior, simply don’t invite him back. I’m sure they didn’t need Ozzfest anyway. God forbid anyone gives their honest opinion anymore, whether it insults the person they work with or someone near by. The truth hurts, but we all have the right to express it. That’s just my two cents about it, but I’m nobody.

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