Event Robot

Below is my official press statement on the official Black Sabbath trademark lawsuit. I am very saddened that I’ve had to take legal action against Tony. This is something that I’ve tried to avoid for years. I am not Geezer or Bill’s voice. However, till the day I die I will not change my mind on this issue. The Black Sabbath trademark should be equally owned by Geezer, Bill, Tony and I as the true Black Sabbath lineup is Tony, Geezer, Bill and I. We’ve all been mates since school. I’ve always said there is an invisible thread that holds us together. Tony, lets get this ridiculous issue sorted and move on with our lives. You’re 61, I’m 60. I hope that we’ve got a good 20 years left in us. But if not, God Forbid something happens to you. What’s going to happen to the Black Sabbath trademark? Who’s going to oversee it? Don’t you think after we’re long gone the rights should stay in your family, my family, Bill’s family and Geezer’s family?

Statement from OZZY OSBOURNE:

“It is with great regret that I had to resort to legal action against my long term partner, Tony Iommi, but after three years of trying to resolve this issue amicably, I feel I have no other recourse.  As of the mid-1990’s, after constant and numerous changes in band members, the brand of "Black Sabbath" was literally in the toilet and Tony Iommi (touring under the name Black Sabbath) was reduced to performing in clubs.  Since 1997 when Geezer, Bill and myself rejoined the band, Black Sabbath has returned to its former glory as we headlined sold-out arenas and amphitheatres playing to upwards of 50,000 people at each show around the world.  We worked collectively to restore credibility and bring dignity back to the name “Black Sabbath” which lead to the band being inducted into the UK and US Rock & Roll Hall of Fames in 2005 and 2006, respectively.  Throughout the last 12 years, it was my management representatives who oversaw the marketing and quality control of the “Black Sabbath” brand through OZZFEST, touring, merchandising and album reissues. The name "Black Sabbath" now has a worldwide prestige and merchandising value that it would not have had by continuing on the road it was on prior to the 1997 reunion tour.  Tony, I am so sorry it’s had to get to this point by me having to take this action against you.  I don’t have the right to speak for Geezer and Bill, but I feel that morally and ethically the trademark should be owned by the four of us equally.  I hope that by me taking this first step that it will ultimately end up that way.  We’ve all worked too hard and long in our careers to allow you to sell merchandise that features all our faces, old Black Sabbath album covers and band logos, and then you tell us that you own the copyright.  We’re all in our 60’s now. The Black Sabbath legacy should live on long after we have all gone.  Please do the right thing.”

WRECKAGE OF MY PAST is an intimate documentary that delves deep into the life of music icon Ozzy Osbourne.  A sober Ozzy has reached a point of clarity as he looks back on a lifetime of unparalleled success, misdiagnosed disease, unrelenting fear and a recurring dependency on drugs and alcohol.  This is a film about reconciling the past and looking toward the future. 

In Theatres 2010

www.wreckageofmypast.com

OZZY OSBOURNE TO BE HONORED

AT SUNSET STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL

SSMF 2009 SET FOR SEPT. 10-12

(West Hollywood, Calif. – May 5, 2009) The second annual Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF) is confirmed for Sept. 10-12, 2009. In addition to The Strip’s six signature music venues hosting diverse music lineups, SSMF 2009 will also include an outdoor street festival component with the closure of Sunset Boulevard between Doheny Drive to San Vicente Boulevard on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 2 – 9 p.m. This is the first time a significant portion of The Sunset Strip has been shut down for a music event, and it will allow for outdoor stages and increased attendance.

Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne will be honored at a tribute event Thursday, September 10 that kicks off the three-day festival. The tribute event honors icons who have made an impact on the legacy of The Sunset Strip. On Ozzy’s first U.S. tour with Black Sabbath in 1970, the band performed a five-night stand (November 11-15) at the legendary Whisky A Go-Go. Ozzy Osbourne’s career has spanned four decades and his music is as relevant today as ever. The multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has sold over 100 millions album worldwide—50 with Black Sabbath and as many as a solo artist—and in 2003 was honored with a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s “Walk of Fame.”

“We are extremely excited to honor rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, and we are thrilled the City of West Hollywood once again supported the Sunset Strip Music Festival,” noted Todd Steadman, executive director of the Sunset Strip Music Festival. “This year’s street closure will allow us to expand on the success of last year’s inaugural fest and accommodate more fans and festival-goers.”

Friday and Saturday nights of SSMF will feature live music performances from a mix of established and up-and-coming artists at all six venues (Cat Club, House of Blues, Key Club, The Roxy Theatre, Viper Room and Whisky A Go-Go). Saturday will feature a daytime street fest with multiple outdoor stage performances before the clubs open their doors for night performances, and the Mondrian hotel is also onboard for SSMF 2009 and will host a VIP cocktail event.

“SSMF is a great opportunity for us to celebrate The Sunset Strip's rich musical history. It also allows us to recognize the clubs and artists, new and old, who make Sunset Boulevard an international destination,” stated West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tempore John Heilman. “Our first event created so much excitement and enthusiasm, and I know the upcoming event will be terrific.”

More details about the Sunset Strip Music Festival 2009, including artist lineup and ticket information, will be announced.

www.ssmf.com

www.sunsetstripmusicfestival.com

As most of you already know, Ozzfest will be taking the summer off as Ozzy works on his follow up to ‘Black Rain’, so there will not be an Ozzfest 2009. Ozzfest will return bigger and better the following summer for Ozzfest 2010. More info will be coming as we get closer to 2010. You can see Ozzy talk about Ozzfest 2010, his new album, playing with Slash and more at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXGyq17_osw

The Osbournes will be the featured guest on ABC-TV's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on the Thursday, March 26 episode (which technically airs the morning of March 27 beginning at 12:05 a.m.). More details to follow soon.

Velvet Revolver guitarist Slash will be joined by OZZY OSBOURNE for Slash's headlining appearance at this year's edition of the Quart festival, set to take place June 30 - July 4, 2009 in Kristiansand, Norway. Slash will perform a mixture of old and new material on the festival's opening day. For more info on the festival head over to http://www.quart.no/