Ozzfest and Maiden React after Sabotage
After the incident that happened on Maiden's last date at Ozzfest, both camps have released an official word.It seems clear from Ozzfest camp's statement (see below) that the real meaning behind the british flag was not understood. Not only is the waving of this flag is a Maiden tradition during 'The Trooper', but it is linked to the song itself which discribes a british attack during the Crimean War (learn more about this at our Commentary section).
Note that an unknown roadie ran through the stage waving an American flag during the song as a protest. The roadie might have been 'Fattie Dave' ('Big Dave').
One incident called sabotage by some was the loss of sound in the PA due to the Black Sabbath sound engineer playing with the soundboard mix. The sound dropped at least four times during 'Phantom of the Opera', 'Hallowed be thy Name' and 'The Number of the Beast'.
This crew member was apparently under orders of the Ozzfest management.
The roadie from the Battle for Ozzfest 'Fattie Dave' show seem to be the one responsible for the second incident: the use of a loudspeaker to shout a pro-Ozzy chant during the Maiden performance. Some reports say that it was pre-recorded voice.
Rumors have it that Kelly Osbourne was involved in the third incident: the throwing of eggs towards Bruce Dickinson. It happened during both 'Murders in the Rue Morgue' and 'The Trooper'.
Finally, Sharon Osbourne took the stage after Maiden's appearance calling Bruce Dickinson 'a prick'. This was mostly received by boos from the audience. Note that dhe already tried to cut the Maiden's encore set during the New Jersey gig.
Additionnally, all pictures of Bruce Dickinson were wiped out of the Ozzfest official website.
The Osbourne camp, primarly über-manager Sharon, seem to have been turned off by some of Bruce anti-corporate comments. While these can be criticized, the comments were clearly not directed against the USA as a country or nationality and, at Maidenfans, we can only be saddened that some fans didn't get to see the show they could have expected after paying the high-entry price of the Ozzfest festival.
Iron Maiden was the real winner of this Ozzfest tour, for the band was acclaimed by both the press and the audience, getting an amazingly positive response. It is important to note that the band didn't lose its cool during that last night, even if Rod Smallwood, their manager, was supposedly very very angry.
We're not even mentionning the 'professionalism' of cancelling multiple Black Sabbath shows for supposed illnesses...
Here are the statements:
IRON MAIDEN wish to thank all the 45,000 Metal fans at Ozzfest in San Bernardino on Saturday night for sticking with us and giving us such a great response at the end of a difficult set. It was obvious to all there that we had a 'series of unfortunate events' throughout! These made it difficult for us to keep our momentum but your incredible support certainly helped us get through it. We guess it all adds up to a pretty memorable gig though!!!
This is, however, a Metal Festival. It is supposed to be fun for all. You fans pay very good money to be there and deserve to get a full and unhindered performance from all the bands. This was not the case last night.
So with this rather bizarre end to a good tour we are returning to the UK today for the Leeds and Reading Festivals and once again thanks to all of you who came out to see us these last few weeks.
FROM IRON MAIDEN
...
More later
The Ozzfest camp had this to offer:
Iron Maiden were chosen for the Ozzfest tour because the Ozzfest committee felt they were a good band, plus the fact that they had not done shows in the U.S. for some time. From day one, Bruce Dickinson started berating Ozzy and belittling the Ozzfest audience. He stated he"didn’t need a reality show to give him credibility"; "we're not just some f*cking reunion band"; and continuously complained about the sound system, saying that when he comes back to America he’ll have a better one. I understand he hasn’t toured in the U.S.in these size venues in a while and no longer understands the political structure of things. Out of 200-plus bands over the last 10 years, he has been the only person who hasn’t had the Ozzfest spirit. He thought he was at a battle of the bands, always making other comments about the other artists.
Might I say, the rest of the band are gentlemen and have a great professional attitude. The crew are absolutely great. But how sad it was, after 10 years, that this little man tried to ruin it for everyone. The bands of Ozzfest don’t even look at Ozzfest as touring, but as its heavy metal summer camp. Bruce is in fact a jealous prick and very envious. None of his tirades were directed at Sabbath, only Ozzy. Steve Harris [Iron Maiden's bassist] personally came to Ozzy in San Bernardino and apologized for Bruce’s behavior this summer, stating that he and the rest of the band were "embarrassed" by their own singer.
It also offended me every night how he took out the English flag in America. There are American boys going to war alongside the English boys every day. How dare he forget the American troops on their home turf. He has had no respect for the American audience he has been playing for, stating in an interview, "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.."
Before there was Samson there was SABBATH!
Ozzfest 2005 continues on with our summer of fun with the addition of Velvet Revolver. This is where the fun begins…..
Maidenfans would like to add that a thread discussing this was opened at this location. The threads in the news forum are currently closed to help for better monitoring of the hot debate over the issue.
We would like to remind you that no matter how much fans might be offended, our board rules still apply and we do not tolerate extreme behaviors.
Sources: IronMaiden.com, Ozzfest.com