The Ozzman Returneth

Returning to Ozzfest last night after a brief leave of absence, Ozzy Osbourne hopped like a frog to Zakk Wylde's guitar solo and led a Detroit-area crowd in a chorus of "I Don't Know" before paying homage to the strength of his cancer-stricken wife, Sharon.

"I have news from the home front. Do you want to hear?" Osbourne asked the capacity crowd of 15,000 at the DTE Energy Music Theater in Independence Township, Michigan. "Sharon's had two chemo treatments, and we're gonna kick this fucking shit. We're going to kick cancer's ass. She's right here [in spirit]. I love you guys, man."

He followed his statement by performing the apropos "Believe."

Sharon Osbourne was diagnosed with colon cancer last month. Ozzy Osbourne pulled out of Ozzfest performances in Columbus on August 3rd and Cleveland on August 4th to attend his wife's chemotherapy treatments. His leave was expected to last three weeks, but, when he nearly passed out during Sharon's first appointment, she ordered him to return to the road.

CHRISTINA FUOCO
(August 8, 2002)