Ozzy headlining 2nd stage of Ozzfest

In what is being described as a festival first, Ozzy Osbourne will headline the second stage of Ozzfest at one of its stops this summer. Ozzy will bypass his usual closing slot on the main stage when the show rolls into San Bernardino, California on July 8th. After a decade of headlining the festival either by himself or with Black Sabbath, Osbourne is only performing at 10 Ozzfest dates this year. It's not known yet whether he'll appear on the second stage at any of the other nine.

In a statement, Ozzy said, "After 10 years of headlining Ozzfest's main stage I think it's time for a change. I haven't had a chance to play this close to an audience in years and I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it."

San Bernardino is already notorious in the festival's history. It was there last year that Iron Maiden's final show on the tour was sabotaged by Sharon Osbourne, who had eggs thrown at the group and had its sound messed with over claims that Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson had insulted both the tour and her husband.

Ozzfest 2006 will be co-headlined this year by System Of A Down and Disturbed, with Hatebreed and Lacuna Coil also appearing on the main stage. A "mystery" main stage act, widely rumored to be Avenged Sevenfold, will be announced on May 23rd.

The second stage will feature Atreyu, Black Label Society, Unearth and many others.

Ozzfest 2006 kicks off on June 29th in Seattle, Washington, with dates booked through mid-August.