Ozzy Osbourne accurately predicted that Black Sabbath would withdraw from the 1981 Heavy Metal Holocaust concert. This foresight led to a pivotal moment for Motörhead, who were set to co-headline the event. Osbourne's warning, delivered to Motörhead during their joint US tour, proved correct just weeks before the major UK festival.
Key Takeaways
- Ozzy Osbourne predicted Black Sabbath's exit from the 1981 Heavy Metal Holocaust.
- Motörhead, initially supporting Osbourne, benefited from the change in lineup.
- The US tour marked the beginning of a lasting friendship between Osbourne and Motörhead members.
- Osbourne stepped in to perform at the festival after Black Sabbath's withdrawal.
Ozzy's First American Arena Tour with Motörhead
In April 1981, Ozzy Osbourne embarked on his first American arena tour as a solo artist. This tour followed the release of his debut solo album, Blizzard Of Ozz, which saw success in the United States. Motörhead, fresh from their UK breakthrough with the album Ace Of Spades, served as the opening act for the initial three months of the tour, marking their US debut.
Despite their popularity in Britain, Motörhead, featuring Lemmy Kilmister, Fast Eddie Clarke, and Philthy Animal Taylor, often encountered indifferent or hostile reactions from American audiences. This was a stark contrast to their growing stardom at home.
Tour Statistics
- Start Date: April 1981
- Duration for Motörhead: First three months
- Albums Promoted: Ozzy Osbourne's Blizzard Of Ozz, Motörhead's Ace Of Spades
Osbourne's Personal Struggles and Friendship with Motörhead
During the early stages of the tour, Ozzy Osbourne was reportedly struggling significantly after his departure from Black Sabbath in 1979. Lemmy Kilmister recounted in his memoir that Osbourne was experiencing intense nervousness and despair. He was often found unconscious, having overdone things.
His girlfriend, Sharon Arden, eventually intervened, helping him to recover. As Osbourne's condition improved, a strong friendship began to develop between him and the members of Motörhead.
"Ozzy really was having a rough time on the tour we did with him. He nearly died on this trek. He was at the height of his nervousness and the depths of his despair, and he was just overdoing everything."
— Lemmy Kilmister, Motörhead frontman
Fast Eddie Clarke noted that Osbourne initially seemed like the wild figure they had heard about. However, after four or five weeks, Osbourne became more mellow, and their bond strengthened considerably. This period laid the foundation for a long-lasting mutual respect and friendship between the artists.
The Heavy Metal Holocaust Concert Planning
Upon returning to the UK, Motörhead discovered their album No Sleep ’Til Hammersmith had reached number one on the charts. To celebrate this achievement, they planned to perform at the Heavy Metal Holocaust festival. The event was scheduled for August 1, 1981, at Port Vale football ground in Stoke-on-Trent.
The original plan for the festival was for Motörhead to co-headline with Black Sabbath. Motörhead was slated to perform before Black Sabbath. There were rumors of an elaborate stage show for Motörhead, including a Battle Of Britain RAF squadron flyover and a stage-launched bomber during their song "Bomber." This ambitious performance would have been challenging for any band to follow, especially with Ronnie James Dio now fronting Black Sabbath instead of Ozzy Osbourne.
Ozzy's Prediction Comes True
A few weeks before the Heavy Metal Holocaust, Black Sabbath announced their inability to perform. They cited the need to complete their new album in the United States as the reason. This withdrawal confirmed a prediction Ozzy Osbourne had made to Motörhead earlier.
During a stop in Las Vegas on their US tour, Osbourne told Fast Eddie Clarke that Black Sabbath would pull out. According to Clarke, Osbourne stated, "Sabbath will not do it, they won’t take a chance." Motörhead members initially doubted this, believing the booking was firm. However, Osbourne's prediction proved accurate when Black Sabbath canceled just weeks before the concert.
Background on Black Sabbath's Lineup
Black Sabbath had fired Ozzy Osbourne in 1979. Ronnie James Dio replaced him as the vocalist. This change in lineup created a different dynamic for the band, and some speculated about their willingness to share a stage with their former frontman, even indirectly.
Lemmy Kilmister believed Black Sabbath's reluctance stemmed from fear of being overshadowed. He reasoned, "Obviously, they were scared that we’d blow ’em off stage." The success of Motörhead's No Sleep ’Til Hammersmith, which hit number one, likely intensified this concern.
Ozzy Steps In for the Festival
With Black Sabbath out, Motörhead considered asking Ozzy Osbourne to perform instead. Eddie Clarke recalled discussing this with Osbourne on their bus in Santa Monica. Osbourne initially resisted, saying he couldn't due to other commitments. However, he eventually agreed to perform at Port Vale.
Osbourne had to reschedule three of his own shows to make the appearance possible. He later honored those commitments. His decision to perform was significant for Motörhead, who felt a debt of gratitude to him. Osbourne was the only artist willing to take them on his US tour, a gesture they deeply appreciated.
The Port Vale concert held nostalgic value for Osbourne. Both he and Motörhead introduced each other on stage, highlighting their camaraderie. Osbourne did not insist on performing last, demonstrating his genuine rock-and-roll spirit, according to Clarke.
The Festival Performance and Lasting Legacy
The Heavy Metal Holocaust lineup, apart from Ozzy Osbourne, was considered less than compelling by Motörhead. However, when Osbourne took the stage, the crowd's energy surged. Performing with Europe's largest PA system, Motörhead delivered a powerful set.
Ozzy Osbourne's appearance was a major highlight. He was a familiar and beloved figure to the audience. As darkness fell, he even sang "Paranoid," a classic Black Sabbath track, relishing the irony of the situation. His performance was a huge success, revitalizing the festival atmosphere.
The friendship between Ozzy Osbourne and Lemmy Kilmister endured for decades. Kilmister contributed lyrics to several songs on Osbourne's 1991 album No More Tears, including "Mama I’m Coming Home," "Desire," and "Hellraiser."
Collaborations
- Album: No More Tears (1991)
- Songs with Lemmy's Lyrics: "Mama I’m Coming Home," "Desire," "Hellraiser"
Lemmy's death in 2016 deeply affected Osbourne. He often spoke of his admiration for Kilmister, calling him a "great fucking guy." Their friendship, which began on a challenging US tour, became a significant part of heavy metal history, marked by mutual support and respect.