Iron Maiden vs The Osbournes (part 2)

Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood posted a lengthy statement at the band's official website yesterday (Tuesday, August 23rd) about the bizarre events that occurred during the band's last OzzFest appearance on Saturday (August 20th) near San Bernardino, California. In front of a crowd of 45,000, the band was pelted with eggs and other objects, had its power cut, and heard a voice chant Ozzy Osbourne's name over the PA at the beginning and end of its set. Many in the audience, as well as the members of Maiden themselves, believed the acts occurred at the behest of Osbourne's wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne.

Smallwood claimed that the incident was a "premeditated and coordinated attack" on Iron Maiden. The manager wrote, "In 30 years in this business and after attending hundreds of gigs I have never seen anything anywhere near as disgusting and unprofessional as what went on that night."


Smallwood added, "We know who authorized the making of the "Ozzy - Ozzy" chant tape the day before and how it was played secretly through the PA at the very beginning and end of our set. We also know who continually turned off the power interrupting our set at crucial moments."

Smallwood went on to thank the audience and "the great majority of the OzzFest crew," whom he said were "terrific." But he also warned, "Those who participated or stood idly by and watched as (the attack) went down should also be ashamed of themselves and I would certainly hope they never come near a tour with which we are involved."

Smallwood concluded by saying he was "immensely proud" of the way Maiden handled themselves throughout the incident, and that the band deserves an apology "from a number of people, and you know who you are."

In an earlier statement, Sharon Osbourne accused Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson of "berating Ozzy and belittling the OzzFest audience." She was booed off the stage in San Bernardino while trying to speak to the audience after Maiden's set.

Maiden are heading back to the UK for several festival appearances, while OzzFest continues on Thursday, August 25th in Albuquerque, New Mexico.