Those who were not yet born by the '70s will have a once in a lifetime chance to achieve heavy metal time travel, writes Murray Stott.
Dunedin heavy metal heads will have a unique chance to become part of rock history next April when Black Sabbath, fronted by Living Legend Ozzy Osbourne, plays Forsyth Barr Stadium for its final curtain.
Black Sabbath evolved during the '70s with a genre of satanic inspired rock and was recognised as the first truly heavy metal band. While most people would probably struggle to name five of Black Sabbath's hits, Ozzy and Black Sabbath combined have sold more than 100 million albums.
The guitar riffs and weepy harmony of the band's first hit Paranoid is indelibly inscribed in the subconsciousness of us without, perhaps, knowing the song's title.
It was indeed Paranoid which Black Sabbath performed at The Party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, in 2002. This performance was beamed to the global masses via TV and the internet, thus forging a place in rock psyche of many minds.
Ozzy was venerated as the Godfather of Heavy Metal, whereas his late father in law Don Arden (born Levy - Sharon Osbourne's father) was regarded by some as the Godfather of early London based rock managers and promoters. The Daily Mail tagged him as the most feared man in music.
One of this Godfather's most notable acts was when three of his East London heavies dangled successful impresario Robert Stigwood from a fourth floor window, threatening to let him go unless he undertook to withdraw management overtures for The Small Faces, which Don had managed at that time in the early '60s.
Stigwood managed The Bee Gees, Cream, and Eric Clapton and he went on to earn a fortune producing both celluloid and records for box office hits Grease, Saturday Night Fever, and Evita.
Pop group management was at the most profitable end of the music business during the swinging '60s and Don Arden's stable of artists were Black Sabbath, ELO Electric Light Orchestra, and Nashville Teens of Tobacco Road.
Don, with his penchant for Rolls Royces and bling, allegedly failed to pay his artists on time or when due, etc. Whereas, another London based Jewish manager, Brian Epstein, who managed The Beatles, Cilla Black and a host of Mersey Beat headliners, was known to always pay on time.
Therefore, Don did The Beatles a big favour by not managing them; Brian did, much to his credit and pecuniary benefit; and their early hit She Loves You inspired Ozzy to become a musician.
Osbourne had to deal with dyslexia and other disorders while growing up, but they didn't stop him from eventually becoming the star of one of MTV's biggest hits The Osbournes, featuring the day to day life of Ozzy's family in their Hollywood mansion, expletives and all.
Ozzy's career has been paved with ups and downs, as has the band's.
Once Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath (1979) and spent some time in a hotel room seeking amelioration with drugs and booze. Such evils of excess were very much part of the wallpaper for rock musicians.
Black Sabbath has had a revolving door policy of members from Uriah Heap, Deep Purple, Rainbow et al, with several reunited incarnates over the years.
The once contested Black Sabbath UK trademarks covering merchandise entertainment remain registered to John Michael Osbourne (Ozzy) and Anthony Frank Iommi (band founder, member and guitarist).
One of rock music's most enduring love stories is that of Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne. When Ozzy decamped to Los Angeles, Sharon's father, Don, sent her out to look after him; which she still is doing today.
Sharon took over Ozzy's management from her father's company, thus creating a major rift between them. When Sharon returned to London, Don's guard dog attacked Sharon, causing her to lose the baby she was carrying and put her in hospital.
A stand off ensued over two decades. Ozzy effected a reunion between father and daughter before Mr Big died aged 82.
Sharon was also behind Ozzy's largest financial windfall. As his manager along with their son Jack, they created Ozzfest with Black Sabbath at the top of the bill, which grossed more than $US100 million between the late '90s and early 2006.
Ozzy's concert in Dunedin next April is promoted by Live Nation, the world's largest concert promoter, which also looks after U2, Fleetwood Mac, Madonna, Metallica and 700 other acts.
At this concert for the final act of such legends of heavy metal, fronted by the same rock godfather who has been charged for urinating on the Alamo, and has bitten the heads off bats at gigs, expect the unexpected. At the very least, this is a genuine opportunity to be part of rock history.
Murray Stott is a trademark agent and sponsorship broker.
