Ozzfest begins with part-time Ozzy

The 11th annual Ozzfest gets underway on Thursday, June 29th, in Seattle, Washington, and for the first time in the tour's history, neither Ozzy Osbourne nor Black Sabbath is headlining the main stage for the entire duration. Osbourne is sharing those duties this year with System Of A Down and Disturbed, whose frontman David Draiman told us that he doesn't see the change as any sort of major challenge: "We deliver 110 percent whether Ozzy would be playing a full set any given night or whether he's not playing in a given night or whatever the case may be. Ozzy's earned the right to do whatever the hell Ozzy wants to do. If he wants to play six shows, so be it, if he wants to play a dozen shows, so be it. He's paid his dues and he's done what he's needed to do."

Osbourne announced on Wednesday, June 28th, that he will headline the tour's second stage on July 1st in San Francisco instead of the main stage. The singer is now playing six dates on the main stage, seven on the second stage, and one solo headlining concert on July 14th in Kansas City.

Also appearing on the main stage this summer are Avenged Sevenfold, Hatebreed, Lacuna Coil and Dragonforce, while the second stage will feature Black Label Society, Atreyu, Unearth, Bleeding Through, Norma Jean and several others.

The 26-date Ozzfest is scheduled to continue through August 13th in West Palm Beach, Florida.