View source for Ozzfest

{{Short description|Music festival}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox music festival
| image = PragueOzzfest.jpg
|caption = Ozzfest concert poster on an empty storefront door in downtown [[Prague]], Czech Republic (Summer 2002)
| location = {{hlist|United States|Europe|Japan}}
| years_active = {{hlist|1996–2008|2010|2013|2015–2018}}
| founders = [[Sharon Osbourne]]
| dates = {{hlist|July–August|November}}
| genre = {{hlist|[[Heavy metal music|Heavy metal]]|[[nu metal]]|[[industrial metal]]|[[alternative metal]]|[[metalcore]]|[[extreme metal]]}}
| website = {{url|ozzfest.com/}}
}}

'''Ozzfest''' was an annual music festival tour of the United States and sometimes Europe and later Japan, featuring performances by many [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] and [[hard rock]] musical groups. It was founded by [[Sharon Osbourne]]<ref name="hype groundbreaking">{{cite web | last = Moss | first = Corey |author2=Chris Harris  | title = Osbournes Hype 'Groundbreaking' Ozzfest: 'Why Not Go To A Show For Free?' | publisher = [[MTV News]] | date = 6 February 2007 | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1551725/20070206/osbourne_ozzy.jhtml | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070208062353/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1551725/20070206/osbourne_ozzy.jhtml | url-status = dead | archive-date = 8 February 2007 | access-date = 25 January 2008}}</ref> and [[Ozzy Osbourne]],<ref name="ozzy bio">{{cite web | last1 = Weber | first1 = Barry | last2 = Prato|first2= Greg| title = Ozzy Osbourne Biography | publisher = [[Allmusic]]| url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5079|pure_url=yes}} | access-date = 20 August 2007 }}</ref> both of whom also organised each yearly tour with their son [[Jack Osbourne]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976939250|title=Skyword Content Marketing Platform: Where Brands Connect with Customers|website=Skyword|access-date=28 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228094358/http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976939250|archive-date=28 December 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was held almost annually between 1996 and 2018. The Ozzfest tour featured bands of a variety of genres within heavy metal and hard rock, including [[alternative metal]], [[thrash metal]], [[industrial metal]], [[metalcore]], [[hardcore punk]], [[deathcore]], [[nu metal]], [[death metal]], [[post-hardcore]], [[gothic metal]] and [[black metal]]. Ozzy Osbourne and [[Black Sabbath]] played the tour several times over the years.<ref name="ozzy bio"/> Ozzy Osbourne died on 22 July 2025, seventeen days after Black Sabbath's farewell concert.<ref name="Skydeath">{{cite news |last=Peplow |first=Gemma |date=22 July 2025 |title=Ozzy Osbourne dies just weeks after farewell show |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ozzy-osbourne-dies-just-weeks-after-farewell-show-13400248 |access-date=22 July 2025 |work=[[Sky News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=22 July 2025 |title=Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76 |url=https://www.itv.com/news/central/2025-07-22/black-sabbath-frontman-ozzy-osbourne-has-died-at-the-age-of-76 |access-date=22 July 2025 |work=ITV News Central |publisher=ITV}}</ref> In the wake of Osbourne's passing, there have been calls to revive the festival in his memory.<ref name=":0" />

{{TOC limit|3}}

==History==
{{See also|Ozzfest lineups by year}}

===1996–1999: early years===
The festival was created in 1996 by Ozzy Osbourne's wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, after she was rebuffed by [[Lollapalooza]] when she tried to get Ozzy on that festival circuit.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-07 |title=It's Time To Bring Back Ozzfest |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/ozzy-osbourne-forever/its-time-to-bring-back-ozzfest |access-date=2025-08-07 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref> The tour was well-received, which prompted the festival to become a yearly occurrence.<ref name="ozzy bio"/>

The first Ozzfest was not a national tour, but rather a two-day festival held in [[Phoenix, Arizona]], and [[Devore, California]], on 25 and 26 October 1996 respectively. [[Ozzfest Live]], a compilation of ten live tracks recorded during this festival, was released on April 29, 1997.

In 1997, there were large protests outside of the festival to cancel [[Marilyn Manson (band)|Marilyn Manson]]'s performance. However, no dates were cancelled. There were also protests of a similar nature in 2001, following the [[Columbine High School massacre]], which some groups had blamed on [[Marilyn Manson]].

In 1998, Ozzfest ventured outside the United States for the first time into the United Kingdom, which featured a different line-up of bands. The festival would eventually return to the UK in 2001<ref name="datehistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.smnnews.com/ozzfest-date-lineup-history-from-1996/|title=Ozzfest - Date Lineup History from 1996|website=smnnews.com|access-date=28 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924115607/http://www.smnnews.com/ozzfest-date-lineup-history-from-1996/|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/webpages/ozzfestx21x05x02|title=Ozzfest 2002 U.K.|date=21 May 2002|website=contactmusic.com|access-date=28 March 2018|archive-date=16 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316031257/http://www.contactmusic.com/new/home.nsf/webpages/ozzfestx21x05x02|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The 1998 US Tour also featured for the first time an Ozzfest web site. Photographs were made during the tour using an early generation [[Sony Mavica#Mavica models|Sony Mavica FD-7]] digital camera and uploaded each night after the show, and a tour diary was kept from the road.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ozzfest 98 About the Site|url=http://www.ozzfest98.com/pages/about.html}}</ref>

The concert on 18 July 1998 at Float Rite Park was merged with [[Warped Tour 1998]]. Some 39,000 fans were at the 12-hour, six-stage, 48-band event.<ref>{{cite web|title=Deftones Talk About Ozzfest/Warped Marriage|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1428001/deftones-talk-about-ozzfestwarped-marriage/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812202943/http://www.mtv.com/news/1428001/deftones-talk-about-ozzfestwarped-marriage/|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 August 2014|publisher=MTV}}</ref>

===2000–2006: commercial success===
In the early 2000s, artists and bands including [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], [[Kittie]], [[Pantera]], [[Marilyn Manson]], [[Mudvayne]], [[Godsmack]], [[Rob Zombie]], [[Incubus (band)|Incubus]], [[Linkin Park]],<ref name="ozzfest 2001"/> [[System of a Down]], [[Chevelle (band)|Chevelle]], [[P.O.D.]], [[Papa Roach]] and [[Disturbed (band)|Disturbed]] played the yearly music festival.<ref name="ozzfest 2001">{{cite web
  | last = Love
  | first = Bret
  | title =  Ozzfest 2001: The Second Millennium – Review
  | publisher = [[Allmusic]]
  | year = 2001
  | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=r545890|pure_url=yes}}
  | access-date = 25 January 2008}}</ref><ref name="cunningham">{{cite web
  | last = Cunningham
  | first = John
  | title = Concert Review: Ozzfest '98
  | work = Juris Publici
  | publisher = [[University of Richmond School of Law]]
  |date=September 1998
  | url = http://law.richmond.edu/jurispub/1998/09/Cunningham.htm
  | access-date = 25 January 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080203160336/http://law.richmond.edu/jurispub/1998/09/Cunningham.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 3 February 2008}}</ref> Two compilation albums of the Ozzfest tour were released, one covering select 2001<ref name="ozzfest 2001"/> performances and another for 2002.<ref name="Goodman2002">{{cite news|last=Goodman|first=Abbey|title=In Stores Now And Coming Soon: New Music From Ozzfest, Aaron Carter, In Flames, Jazzyfatnastees & More|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457285/20020903/carter_aaron.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040928233555/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1457285/20020903/carter_aaron.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 September 2004|work=MTV News|date=3 September 2002|access-date=22 April 2008}}</ref>

On-stage footage of the Ozzfest 2004 tour was shown on [[MTV]], as Ozzy and Sharon hosted a show on the network titled ''[[Battle for Ozzfest]]'' where they chose eight out of hundreds of bands to compete for a spot on the following year's Ozzfest. Ozzy selected one member from each chosen band to "tag along" on the tour. Each contestant had to complete numerous challenges to improve his/her band's chances of winning the contest. Occasionally, meetings would be held and certain contestants would be eliminated for various reasons. The person who prevailed as the winner and guaranteed his band's spot on the Ozzfest tour was Marc Serrano from metalcore act [[A Dozen Furies]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/battle_for_ozzfest/series.jhtml#bio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061127163444/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/battle_for_ozzfest/series.jhtml#bio|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2006|title=MTV Original TV Shows, Reality TV Shows - MTV|website=MTV|access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref> Serrano had appeared at Ozzfest the year prior with his former band [[Ünloco]].

At [[Iron Maiden]]'s last Ozzfest performance, on 20 August 2005 at the [[Hyundai Pavilion]] at Glen Helen in [[San Bernardino, California|San Bernardino]], California, several detrimental events took place. During the first song, several members of the crowd, brought on by [[Sharon Osbourne]], bombarded the English metal band Iron Maiden with eggs, bottle caps and ice after vocalist [[Bruce Dickinson]] allegedly ridiculed Ozzy's need for a teleprompter during his performances, as well as the Osbourne family's ventures into reality television (''[[The Osbournes]]'', ''[[Battle for Ozzfest]]'').<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20051219095547/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1508432/20050826/osbourne_ozzy.jhtml?headlines=true Sharon Osbourne Admits Cutting Iron Maiden's Power] [[MTV]]:26 August 2005</ref> During three of Iron Maiden's songs, the P.A. system was switched off, cutting power to Dickinson's microphone and then to all the band's instruments. During the concert, Bruce Dickinson can be heard accusing the festival's organizers of deliberately cutting off the band's power. On Iron Maiden's departure, Sharon Osbourne came on stage to make a few statements, telling the audience that she "absolutely loved Iron Maiden" but thought that Dickinson is a "prick."<ref>Harris, Chris. [https://web.archive.org/web/20051219093230/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1508028/20050822/iron_maiden.jhtml?headlines=true Iron Maiden Pelted With Eggs At Final Ozzfest Performance] [[MTV]]: 22 August 2005. Last accessed 7 October 2006.</ref> [[Rod Smallwood]], manager for Iron Maiden, issued a statement shortly after the debacle condemning the attack on the band.<ref>''[http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3824 Iron Maiden Manager's Official Statement Regarding Ozzfest Feud]'' [[KNAC]]: 23 August 2005.</ref> In 2006, Bruce Dickinson commented, "Did I have a go at Ozzy and Black Sabbath? No. Why would I? But I do find ''[[The Osbournes]]'' TV series loathsome, and the whole cult of reality TV celebrities disgusting."<ref name= "MH Ozzfest">{{cite journal | title = Iron Maiden: War all the Time | journal = Metal Hammer | date = 1 September 2006 | first = Malcolm | last = Dome | issue = 157 | pages = 34–40}}</ref> In response to claims that he had apologised to Ozzy for Dickinson's behaviour, [[Steve Harris (musician)|Steve Harris]] stated "No I didn't [apologise]. What I actually said was that, if there was anything to apologise for, then I'd do it. But that was twisted around to seem like I'd said sorry – that never happened!"<ref name= "MH Ozzfest"/>

===2007: free fest===
On 7 February 2007, it was announced that tickets to Ozzfest 2007 would be offered free of charge, dubbing the 2007 Ozzfest as "free fest."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ozzfest.com/blog/entry/3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928071540/http://ozzfest.com/blog/entry/3|url-status=dead|title=The Ozzfest Community at Ozzfest.com, Heavy Metal & Hard Rock<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref> Tickets were made available through sponsor websites, the Ozzfest web site and to those buying an advance copy of Ozzy Osbourne's new release, ''[[Black Rain (Ozzy Osbourne album)|Black Rain]]''.

Sponsorship money provided the revenue for the tour, but organizers did not pay any of the bands appearing. Ozzy Osbourne returned to the headlining slot on the tour after only headlining the second stage in 2006. Ozzfest 2007 featured well-established acts such as [[Lamb of God (band)|Lamb of God]], [[Static-X]], and [[Hatebreed]].

There were problems with distribution of the free tickets. Fans were given codes to receive tickets through the official Ozzfest website, but due to the heavy load on [[Live Nation]]'s [[secure server]]s, there were issues with ticket redemption. Another problem was that many "[[eBay]] scalpers" charged fans to pay for the free tickets, often turning out to be unusable duplicates of other tickets.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ozzfest.com/blog/entry/25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707080546/http://ozzfest.com/blog/entry/25|url-status=dead|title=The Ozzfest Community at Ozzfest.com, Heavy Metal & Hard Rock<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=7 July 2007}}</ref> Then, on 26 July, Ozzfest gave away free tickets without requiring its "redemption code" previously required.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ozzfest.com/blog/entry/49|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928071553/http://ozzfest.com/blog/entry/49|url-status=dead|title=The Ozzfest Community at Ozzfest.com, Heavy Metal & Hard Rock<!-- Bot generated title -->|archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref>

At the show of 16 August 2007 in Holmdel, New Jersey, at the [[PNC Bank Arts Center]], controversy was generated as 83 attendees were arrested at the show, most of them underage and arrested prior to 8:00. In addition, two men died, one after overdosing on alcohol and energy drinks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ticketnews.com/news/Two-Deaths-Occur-at-Ozzfest180807|title=Two Deaths Occur at Ozzfest - TicketNews|website=www.ticketnews.com|access-date=28 March 2018|archive-date=23 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151023001157/http://www.ticketnews.com/news/Two-Deaths-Occur-at-Ozzfest180807|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===2008-2018: final decade===
====2008====
Questions over whether the event would be held in 2008 began when in April that year Ozzy Osbourne announced that he would be headlining the Canadian Monsters of Rock festival.<ref name="Harris2008">{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Chris|title=Ozzy Osbourne Announces Monsters of Rock Headlining Gig – So What Does This Mean For Ozzfest?|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585580/20080415/osbourne_ozzy.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416091419/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1585580/20080415/osbourne_ozzy.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 April 2008|work=MTV News|date=15 April 2008|access-date=20 April 2008}}</ref> The 2008 version of the festival took place for only one date at [[Pizza Hut Park]] in [[Frisco, Texas]] on 9 August 2008. The line-up featured [[Metallica]] and Ozzy Osbourne as the headliner bands, as well as other acts such as [[Jonathan Davis]] (frontman of [[Korn]]), [[Sevendust]], [[DevilDriver]], [[Serj Tankian]] (frontman of [[System of a Down]]), [[Cavalera Conspiracy]], [[Shadows Fall]], [[Apocalyptica]] and [[In This Moment]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bands|url=http://www.ozzfest.com/static_content/view/bands.html|publisher=Ozzfest|year=2008|access-date=17 June 2008}}</ref><ref name="metallica">{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Chris|title=Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne Sign on For One-Day Ozzfest|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587371/20080513/metallica.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828091833/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1587371/20080513/metallica.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2008|work=MTV News|date=13 May 2008|access-date=16 May 2008}}</ref> Along with the two main stages was a third, named the Texas Stage, which, according to Sharon Osbourne, featured such Texas-based bands as [[The Sword (band)|The Sword]], [[Drowning Pool]], [[Goatwhore]], [[Soilent Green]] and [[Rigor Mortis (band)|Rigor Mortis]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ozzfest...Metallica Arrives Saturday, August 9th in Dallas, Texas|url=http://www.ozzfest.com/blog/entry/69|publisher=Ozzfest|date=20 May 2008|access-date=17 June 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080615193001/http://www.ozzfest.com/blog/entry/69 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 15 June 2008}}</ref><ref name="Freedman2008">{{cite news|last=Freedman|first=Pete|title=Ozzfest 2008 is One Show Only...In Frisco|url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/2008-05-22/music/ozzfest-2008-is-one-show-only-in-frisco/|work=Dallas Observer|date=22 May 2008|access-date=17 June 2008}}</ref>

The Canadian Version of "The Monsters of Rock" was held exclusively on 26 July 2008 at the McMahon Stadium located in [[Calgary]], Alberta, Canada. It was also scheduled as a "one time only" event. The main attraction for the festival of heavy metal and mayhem were metal giants [[Judas Priest]] and the headliner, Ozzy Osbourne. In addition, various other "big league" heavy metal outfits attended the festivities. The following bands preceded the two main attractions: [[Serj Tankian]], [[Hatebreed]], [[Cavalera Conspiracy]], [[Shadows Fall]], Canadian metal unit [[Voivod (band)|Voivod]], [[Testament (band)|Testament]], [[3 Inches of Blood]], [[Priestess (band)|Priestess]], [[Zimmers Hole]], and [[Dillinger Escape Plan]].

====2010====
Main Stage:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozzfest.com/news.html?n_id=57|title=Ozzfest :: News|website=www.ozzfest.com|access-date=28 March 2018}}</ref> Ozzy Osbourne, [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Halford (band)|Halford]], [[DevilDriver]], [[Nonpoint]]

[[Monster Energy]] Second Stage: [[Black Label Society]] (cancelled in Mansfield & Camden and Bristow due to inclement weather), [[Drowning Pool]] (canceled in Mansfield due to inclement weather, [[Kingdom of Sorrow]] ([[Exodus (band)|Exodus]] played instead on the San Bernardino date), [[Goatwhore]] (canceled on the Hartford date due to a medical emergency with their bassist), [[Skeletonwitch]], [[Saviours (band)|Saviours]], [[Kataklysm]] (canceled in Mansfield due to inclement weather), California Wildebeest (San Bernardino date only), Immune (San Bernardino date only).{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}} The guitar prodigy [[Yuto Miyazawa]] was invited by Ozzy to play "[[Crazy Train]]" at the event.{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

====2013====
On 19 October 2012, it was announced that Ozzfest will be revived on 11–12 May 2013 at [[Makuhari Messe]] in [[Chiba, Chiba|Chiba]], Japan; this was the first time the festival took place in that country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=181096|title=Japanese Edition of Ozzfest To Take Place Next May|date=19 October 2012|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=181717|title=Ozzfest: More Details Revealed|date=2 November 2012|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref> Acts confirmed for the Ozzfest Japan include [[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]], [[Slash (musician)|Slash]] featuring [[Myles Kennedy]] and The Conspirators, [[Deftones]], Black Sabbath, [[Tool (band)|Tool]] and [[Stone Sour]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=181644|title=Black Sabbath, Slipknot Confirmed For Japan's Ozzfest|date=31 October 2012|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=182691|title=Tool, Deftones, Slash, Stone Sour Confirmed For Ozzfest Japan|date=24 November 2012|publisher=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=25 November 2012}}</ref>

====2015====
Tokyo, Japan. This was the second time the festival has taken place in the country. Acts that played at Ozzfest Japan include [[Ozzy and Friends Tour|Ozzy and Friends]], [[Korn]], [[Evanescence]], [[Jane's Addiction]], [[Bullet for My Valentine]], [[A Day to Remember]], [[Hatebreed]], [[Black Label Society]], [[Corey Taylor]], [[Crossfaith]], and [[Babymetal]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

Originally, Black Sabbath was announced, but it was cancelled and replaced by Ozzy and Friends. [[Geezer Butler]], [[Tom Morello]], [[Dave Navarro]], [[Zakk Wylde]], and [[Funassyi]] appeared as guests of Ozzy and Friends. [[Of Mice and Men (band)|Of Mice and Men]] was once announced, but they cancelled due to surgery of [[Austin Carlile]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

====2016====
In 2016, Ozzfest joined with [[Knotfest]] and on 24 and 25 September 2016, "Ozzfest Meets Knotfest 2016" was held in [[San Bernardino, California]], at the [[San Manuel Amphitheater]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

====2017====
The 2017 Ozzfest was held again in conjunction with Knotfest, under the title "Ozzfest Meets Knotfest 2017" on 4 and 5 November 2017, in San Bernardino, California, at the [[Glen Helen Amphitheater]].{{Citation needed|date=October 2020}}

====2018====
The 2018 Ozzfest was held at [[The Forum (Inglewood, California)|The Forum]] in Inglewood, California, on 31 December 2018. The event was hosted by Ozzy Osbourne, [[Marilyn Manson]], [[Rob Zombie]], [[Jonathan Davis]] of [[Korn]], and [[Body Count (band)|Body Count]].  And on the second stage, [[Zakk Wylde]]'s Black Sabbath tribute band [[Zakk Sabbath]] took the stage along with [[DevilDriver]] and [[Wednesday 13]] of [[Murderdolls]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ozzy-osbourne-recovering-from-surgery-to-headline-new-years-eve-ozzfest-745012/|title=Ozzy Osbourne, Recovering From Surgery, to Headline New Year's Eve Ozzfest|first1=Kory|last1=Grow|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=22 October 2018}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Ozzfest lineups by year]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Ozzfest}}	 
*{{Official website|http://www.ozzfest.com}}
{{Ozzy Osbourne}}
{{Black Sabbath}}
{{Rock festivals}}

[[Category:Ozzfest| ]]
[[Category:Music festivals established in 1996]]