OZZFEST LINE-UP AND DATES TAKE SHAPE AS OZZY PREPARES VIKING TOUR

Perhaps one of the biggest questions in the music industry was which bands were going to follow Ozzy’s lead and perform on Ozzfest for free this summer. It was announced that Lamb of God, Hatebreed and Finnish cutting edge act Lordi, will be taking the initiative of playing to thousands of metal fans at each stop as they hit the road this summer supporting fellow main stage act, Ozzy Osbourne. Ozzfest, which has always been a breeding ground for up and coming bands, will once again be bringing metal to the masses except this year there’s a catch! It’s Free to the public! Yes that’s right Ozzfest 2007 will be free to the fans at each and every stop on tour.

Sharon and Ozzy spoke at the initial press conference announcing the tour about not diversifying and staying true to the music.

“No, we don’t want to diversify at all. We want to stay true to what this music is about and we’re not about to have twenty chanting monks that’s not our thing. We’re not going to save the forest. There’s none of that we’re just here about entertainment.” Ozzy then went on to add “We’re going to burn the forests! Rape and pillage and go home. It’s called the Viking Tour.”

Also at the press conference Ozzy was not only asked who was going to be performing in his band this summer, but an eager fan also asked if he can have a guitar audition for Ozzy, in case Zakk Wylde decides on devoting his full attention to his band Black Label Society!

“It’s my band this year. Zakk (Wylde), Michael Bordin and Blasko (Rob Nicholson). What! Let me tune in.” Sharon then reminded the over zealous fan that “This isn’t American Idol.”

After the press conference we caught up with Ozzy to find out who gets the actual decision on which bands get to play.

“All i can say is I don’t know how Sharon gets the energy to do this. I don’t book the bands Sharon and my son Jack do. I think we’ve tried to stay true to the genre of music and we’ve tried to deliver the best bands and I think the kids get that. It’s hard to keep making it fresh and find new talent. We’ve broken some amazing bands and hopefully this year we’re going to break more bands.”

Tour dates for Ozzfest 2007, or Freefest as it’s been dubbed, have also been released with dates beginning July 12th in Seattle Washington and extending until August 30th in West Palm Beach Flordia. Look for more main stage bands as well as the always popular ‘Jagermeister’ second stage bands to be announced in the coming weeks as more bands realize what a great opportunity this year’s tour will be.