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July 21, 2004
Bush / Hitler Video removed from War Pigs, it would seem
I've specifically avoided talking about this issue because I do not want to turn my site and my newsletter into a political fiasco, however, I wanted to say this. From concert reports I've read, and an email I got from someone associated with the tour who wants to remain anonymous (I have no idea who it is, they're using a free mail account), it would appear that the Bush/Hitler image from the War Pigs video has been removed. The other day Bill Ward came out on his website saying he wanted to distance himself from it, and there were a couple of reviews that mentioned said video. Today I noticed that there was a USA Today article that says "..was removed after complaints". While I've not heard anything official from Sabbath's camp about this, I'll go with what was said here and say it was removed due to complaints. I offer no stance personally on this, just passing along news.
Posted by Joe Siegler at 7:31 PM
73 People Arrested at Jul 20 Ozzfest Gig
This morning on Blabbermouth, a story was posted about 73 people being busted for drugs and underage drinking. Here's a quote from the article..
Central Ohio's WBNS TV is reporting that police went undercover Tuesday night (July 20) at Ozzfest in Columbus, OH to bust people with drugs and teens with alcohol.
The annual traveling heavy metal festival — headlined this year by BLACK SABBATH and JUDAS PRIEST — attracts thousands of screaming fans. But for some, the night of music and good times ended in arrests at Polaris Ampitheater.
The WBNS TV website also has a video clip about this you can watch by clicking here.
Posted by Joe Siegler at 5:31 PM
Black Box Review in Stereophile Magazine
Recieved this email about an interesting review of Black Box. I don't personally get/read the magazine, so I can't comment beyond the email.
Joe:
I just noticed that the Black Box was on Stereophile Magazine record reviews section (page 117, August 2004 issue) . It is an OK article. The amazing thing is that they include this item on their record reviews column since they usually cater to the snobby audiophile who listen to classical music or avant garde jazz. The article is over a page long and features a picture of the Black Box.
Later,
José Fuentes
Posted by Joe Siegler at 3:31 PM
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July 16, 2004
Live Aid to be released on DVD - Finally!
Twenty years ago, there was a multi continental benefit concert staged in London in Wembley Arena, and in Philadelphia at JFK Stadium. It was organized by Bob Geldof, and had hours and hours of live performances by several bands. Huge names, too. Names such as U2, Sting, David Bowie, Elton John, George Michael, The Who, Madonna, Queen, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Duran Duran, Dire Straits, The Cars, Bryan Adams, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Beach Boys, Judas Priest, Hall & Oates, and a little ol' band called Black Sabbath.
Yeah, they're finally releasing Live Aid on DVD after twenty years of the footage being locked away (although I still have my VHS tapes I recorded 20 years ago). The rights issues have been worked out, and everyone who played (including some odd choices like Spinal Tap) will be included. Now, the press release I read about this says that it will have "over 10 hours of performances". As the show ran over 10 hours in each continent, obviously not everything will be included. Black Sabbath played three songs. If I remember right, it was Paranoid, Children of the Grave, and something else - but I can't recall for sure which tracks. Once I get further info on exactly how Sabbath will be shown here, I'll report back.
It will be a 4 DVD set, and will be released on November 2nd. For those of us of age back when this happened (July 13, 1985), it was a seminal event in music. Not only was this the first time that Ozzy played with Black Sabbath after the rough separation in early 1979, it also featured a Led Zeppelin reunion, as well as numerous other wonderful performances.
One minor problem with the press release, they refer to Black Sabbath as "Ozzy Osbourne & Black Sabbath". Uh, NO. Black Sabbath is not a backing band for Ozzy Osbourne, dammit!
Posted by Joe Siegler at 7:39 PM
More Magazine Coverage
In addition to the Geezer Butler cover below, the current (September) issue of Guitar World is Black Sabbath related. It's about Ozzfest, and there are actually two covers to this one. One about Judas Priest, and one about Black Sabbath. They're both pictured here, and you can get them now at your local newsstands. Click on either thumbnail to see a larger version of the cover.
The latest Guitar World on newsstands now, features an insiders look at everything Ozzfest. From profiles of Ozzfest acts, to interviews with Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, this issue is every metal fan's dream. The grand wizard of heavy metal, Tony Iommi, reflects on the very wicked world of Black Sabbath and Ozzie Osbourne determines what makes a guitar hero. The issue even includes a pull out poster of Ozzie and Iommi. Rob Halford assures his fans that Judas Priest are back! In "Dear Guitar Hero..." Slayer's Kerry King answers questions from his fans. Also, GW checks out Coheed an Cambria and discovers the missing link between new-school punk and old school progressive rock.
Posted by Joe Siegler at 4:39 PM
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July 13, 2004
Ronnie Dio to work with Tony Iommi Again?
That's a possible event in the future, if what Ronnie said in this interview with Electric Basement is true. In the article, Ronnie talks about a bunch of things, amongst them are Ritchie Blackmore, the new Dio album (Master of the Moon), the legacy of Dio the band, and of course Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath, and the (not so unlikely, apparently) possibility of Ronnie working with Tony Iommi again in the future.
As usual, an interview Ronnie gives is fabulous. He's one of the better interviewees you'll run into, and this one is no exception. Here are the bits in the interview about Tony Iommi and Black Sabbath:
EB: Recently in Guitar World, Tony Iommi was interviewed. He actually said some pretty complimentary things about your time in Sabbath and what the output was. Would you ever consider working with him again, even if it wasn't a Sabbath project?
RJD: With Tony I would. With Tony I'd consider it. I wouldn't consider it with anybody else because we got along great musically and we certainly got along probably better than anyone else in the band...I mean my relationship with anybody else except for Geezer [Butler] for awhile. You know, I tried not to say too many bad things about people but sometimes you get hurt and say things that are foolish. I've taken the high road with most of this. Were the story told I am sure I would have some sympathy on my side but we have to remember that's my story being told. You know, people have their own stories to tell and perhaps I don't remember it properly. Sure, of course I do but whether that's true or not I have tried to compliment Tony when he deserves it and not tear him down even though he does deserve it or even though I deserve it as well and he's done the same. I think he's been fine. I've heard really nothing that Tony's ever said bad about me and I know that the working relationship we had and the songs we wrote are something that Tony can be proud of. That's quite a legacy he has in his hands with Heaven and Hell let alone Mob Rules and Dehumanizer which I thought was a great album. So yeah, you know, I would consider that were the situation right. It wouldn't mean breaking up this band, that's for sure. You know, if it were just a one-off or something, I would consider it. Once again, the time would have to be right.
EB: Speaking of "one-offs," you recently stated that in order for you to consider a Rainbow reunion with Ritchie Blackmore, it would only be a one-off. When you say one-off, would that be one album, tour or show?
RJD: To go into a writing situation is something I am not really prepared to do. To me that means that will be ten or twelve fewer tracks that Dio will be able to do and that is always my consideration. Before there was a time when there was a lapse in Dio and I seriously considered, maybe, alright, we'll get back together and we'll do an album and tour and maybe it will last for awhile. When that didn't come about I just decided I think I've waited long enough for all this and believe me, it's not like I sit around and wait for this. Honestly, I don't. I could not care less. But I think that I owe something to all the people who have loved that band for so many damn years so when the opportunities did arise I looked at it and said, well, maybe. Could be if everything goes well. It didn't. The one off at that time was going to be a live show in Japan and then an album from that live show.
In the case of doing something with Tony it would be a song or two songs. I doubt very much more than that because that would spell itself toward being something that would be too permanent and I don't think Tony's prepared for that either anyway. He's always got Sabbath things to do, his own career, whatever. But that is what I mean by a one-off. Nothing that is going to get in the way of what I'm doing with Dio and I always will do with Dio. Those times are gone. I've been there too many times with people who continually let me down and at least I don't let myself down.
I strongly urge you to read this article. As usual Ronnie is quite candid about things, how he feels, and pretty much everything. Go. NOW!
Posted by Joe Siegler at 8:15 PM
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July 12, 2004
Sabbath is on the Road Again - Concert Reports Coming In
Saturday night was the first gig on Sabbath's current trek, which is Ozzfest 2004. And because of that, a few concert reviews have started coming in. You can visit the Ozzfest 2004 page for a listing of all the dates, with reviews where they exist. However, I'll post this here, as I've gotten asked this a ton of times already.. The set list.
- War Pigs
- N.I.B.
- Fairies Wear Boots
- Into the Void
- Sweet Leaf
- Black Sabbath
- Snowblind
- Iron Man
- Children of the Grave
- Paranoid (w/ Sabbath Bloody Sabbath intro)
Are you going to an Ozzfest 2004 gig? If so, I'd love for you to write a concert review that I'll use on the site. Send me your reviews (or ticket stub images, or newspaper ads). Additionally, if there's a review of the concert in your local newspaper, send me a link to that on their website, assuming it exist.
Posted by Joe Siegler at 8:17 PM
New Sabbath Tribute CD on the Way
Got word recently about a new Black Sabbath tribute CD on the way. It's from Argentina, and features a few things not seen in some previous Black Sabbath tribute albums..
- A Spanish language cover
- Songs from every era of Sabbath's history (Ozzy, Dio, Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes, Tony Martin)
Glenn Hughes appears on the tribute CD singing "No Stranger to Love". Glenn plays with the South American band Rata Blanca. There's a picture of Glenn with the Blanca guitarist below, and additionally I've been told that a video of them playing No Stranger to Love will also appear on the tribute CD.
At this moment, I do not have information on how to buy the CD, once I get that, I'll be sure to pass it on. I've also created a discography page for this album, which you can reach here. On that page, you can download a two minute mp3 sample of Glenn & Rata on No Stranger to Love. While I don't know any of the bands on this CD, the fact that it's a varied selection of the songs is very promising.
Big thanks to Fernando Serani for all the info, the mp3, the picture, etc!
Glenn Hughes & Rata Blanca onstage - Dec 14, 2003
Posted by Joe Siegler at 6:17 PM
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