Depending on his mood, Ozzy is touring once with and the other time without Black Sabbath. We all know the history of the Prince of Darkness, as he likes to name himself, very well. So I do not get into details which every sandfly from Alaska 'till New Zealand knows anyway. 
However, our beloved madman is here tonight and also his US Hells Angels Security and his caring wife Sharon, who has ordered a complete photo ban on the press. Any complain doesn't maky sense. At least it is allowed to take shots of the supportslot. But the daily press ain't interested in that. So we are just three photographers to show mercy for Black Label Society and we say: better this, than nothing at all. And with this lot up there it's kinda family And they start off strike 8 p.m.

Goliath says truly hello. What a shame, 'cause this guy used to look really good in the past. And he would probably still do so, if there wasn't that horrible beard. Zakk Wylde takes most of the stage with his impressing shape and aura, and everything else is pushed back into the back by starting off with
'Chapter 1'. He tortures his six strings, as if he wants to win the Ironman of guitarplaying. Thanks to his longterm job in Ozzy's band , the multiple family father has got himself an indvidual reputation in Heavy Metal. And his popularity shows, that the venues is already well filled at this early stage. Almost as crowded as to Ozzy's funny opera. Thanks to his fabulous condition, it is peanuts for this guy to play first a 45 minutes set, and then play again with the  headlier aother 90 minutes.  Whereby he definately earns more money with the second job. Or does the pay to play supportslot swallow the income of the Ozzy job? Never mind. It seems anyway, that the whole trek is a big family. And Zakk certainly belongs to it. 

He seems to have fun, - he plays, he sings, he spits the hell out. And compared to Zakk - King Kong is - Thomas the tankengine. 
And Zakk is definately  not what you would call sophisticated or posh. I asure you, as I have met him before a few times. 

However, the fans luv him, that's for sure. Partly because he is a great guitar player showing some quality as an entertainer with his band, but partly it's because he is the leadguitarist of Ozzy. Black Label Society play straight Heavy Metal, nothing really new, but just alright for every Ozzy fan.

  http://www.blacklabelsociety.net 

...and there he is.... the madman, the ironman or whatsoever.... Whether Ozzy would do a prima ballerina up there or if he'd sang 'Warpigs' the other way round, the audiance gets wild anyway. No he won't do any of those things, but to be honest, Ozzy could never really sing, and he won't catch up on it anymore. But.... and that is the point: he is and he always will be - Ozzy Osbourne. 

And yes, he stands up there, and at this very moment, even I believe, that he is actually appearing live and has not cancelled the whole show in the last minute. Wouldn't be the first time, would it?! Compared to other famous artist, Ozzy is not coming last on stage of all of the band, no he jumps out of the blue first like a crazy chick. The average reaction is a loud halleluja. And off we go with 'Bark At The Moon' and 14 other songs which are a cocktail of - Ozzy old, Ozzy new, spiced with some Black Sabbath nostalgic. 

To be honest, for me, who has seen Ozzy at least 9 or 10 times within the last 25 years, I can only say, not much has changed. Starting with his funny movements, a short sight of his bum, the usual teleprompter with the lyrics and yes of course the buckets with water. Those land occassioally on the heads of the fans and the security or on his own. Ad he seems to luv it like a little kid. And yes he probably still is a child in  his mind. One thing..... Ozzy is physically fitter than ever. I gotta give him that. 

The stage outfit is rather poor, and there are no giant monitors for a big view for people in the back. No clue why and whether it's because of not beeing worth it for only one german show, or the fact, that Ozzy doesn't want to be seen in a big size. One more reason for the photoban as well. - But as you can see, we got some shots of him, taken under difficult cercumstances. But at least we got them...... 

In the end, I gotta admit, Ozzy is Ozzy, and Ozzy is cult with lots of: 'I luv you all' and 'Fuck the world', untouchable, but apart from that and Zakk Wylde and excellent technics, - no my friends - a good musical performance is something else but not this....

.... but hey, - it's Oooooozzzzzzzy !!!!!!
http://www.ozzy.com/