Iron Maiden Pelted With Eggs During Ozzfest

[SteveThaiBinh]

This is not just about throwing eggs.

Were they free-range or battery-farmed eggs? That's what I want to know.

They did a lot of things to try and ruin their performance.

 

For what?

Publicity? Spite? A laugh?

 

You're right, there's a serious point behind this. I take freedom of expression pretty seriously, and deliberately silencing someone else's music is like burning books - it always makes me uneasy. But the Osbournes are not the most stable of people, and if they and Iron Maiden don't get along, why were Iron Maiden at the concert at all?

[Cantousent]

You know, back in the day, a heavy metal band would have been throwing more than eggs back at some rowdy fans. I mean, what happened to the Iron Maiden of my youth? Where was that huge, hulking vehicle that they used to drive around on-stage? Throw eggs at a heavy metal band, eat a guitar and then get ready for the brass knuckles.

 

I see their outrage, but I'm mostly worried about the fools lighting fires at the concert. They're only about 15 minutes away from my house. I guess Iron Maiden isn't the only one getting old.

[jodo kast 5]

They could always pull down their pants and piss on the crowd.

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Knowing some of those lunatics, they'll probably try to bite the **** off. "

[LoneWolf16]

They could always pull down their pants and piss on the crowd.

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Knowing some of those lunatics, they'll probably try to bite the **** off. "

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Homo-erotic as well as deeply disturbing. Bravo

[jaguars4ever]

I can't f***ing believe how anyone could have given up an opportunity to lob eggs at that bitch Sharon Osbourne. I mean, eggs were present people...AND so was she! Hello?

[jodo kast 5]

They could always pull down their pants and piss on the crowd.

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Knowing some of those lunatics, they'll probably try to bite the **** off. "

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Homo-erotic as well as deeply disturbing. Bravo

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Ya never know with the people of today.

[Musopticon?]

I want to know how biting members off is supposedly erotic?

 

 

 

Yep, the topic doesn't interest me in the least.

[Lucius]

I want to know how biting members off is supposedly erotic?

 

 

 

Yep, the topic doesn't interest me in the least.

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Whatever makes people get off... I can't believe I just said that.

[jaguars4ever]

I want to know how biting members off is supposedly erotic?

+ =

[Baley]

I can't f***ing believe how anyone could have given up an opportunity to lob eggs at that bitch Sharon Osbourne.  I mean, eggs were present people...AND so was she!  Hello?  

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From IRON MAIDEN's official message board:

 

"About 10 minutes before MAIDEN came on, I was in the center of the pit a few feet from the front railing when a guy comes barging in from the right escorting 4 or 5 people. At first, I tell him to F-off because I thought he was trying to take my spot, but he said he worked for Ozzfest and showed me his passes. He also told me that Ozzy's daughter was with the entourage he brought with him. There were a few girls with him and one of them looked a little like Kelly Osbourne, but I couldn't tell for sure because all of them were wearing bandanas over their noses and mouths. After I heard her speak, I was pretty sure. At that point, I tapped her on her arm and said, 'I really liked you on the show. You were great,' to which she responded, 'Thank you.' There was no doubt at that point. The bodyguard who came with them starting getting chumy with us because he needed a few of us to help him protect the girls from the moshing that would start when MAIDEN came on. I saw the girls passing eggs, and I said, 'What's that for?' The bodyguard said something to the effect, 'You'll see. Something big is going down. You'll hear about it everywhere after tonight. It's all because Bruce Dickinson made some comments in Detroit dissing the 'Osbournes' reality TV show.' He also said that there were about 60 people in the pit who were going to participate in the mayhem. Most of them were wearing the same Ozzfest shirts. Before MAIDEN came on, they all started chanting, 'Ozzy, Ozzy...' I actually saw Bruce off to the left of the stage before they came on. His mike was on and he said something like, 'What the ****?'

[Blarghagh]

Ozzfest has no credibility anyway.

[Baley]

Press Release:

 

23/08/2005 OZZFEST - SAN BERNARDINO AUG 20

 

 

Maiden are currently returning from America and preparing for UK festivals this weekend and don't wish to waste time giving Sharon Osbourne's statement the dignity of a reply. Considering the disgraceful nature of the events that occurred they feel it's a pretty dismal effort at self justification and they don't think Metal fans are at all gullible and that they will easily see through it. They want no more to do with this sorry incident and are very much looking forward to headlining Reading and Leeds Festivals this weekend.

 

I would however like to add my own comment on this.

 

In 30 years in this business and after attending hundreds of gigs l have never seen anything anywhere near as disgusting and unprofessional as what went on that night. I was standing on our sound desk out front as usual but ran to the stage as soon as the hail of missiles began and from then on watched from the front of the stage right next to Bruce's walkway. The scale, viciousness and concentration of the throwing made it obvious that this was a premeditated and co-ordinated attack. Assaulting musicians while performing by throwing bottle tops, lighters and eggs at them from just a few yards away is vile, dangerous, criminal and cowardly. It is incredible that Ozzfest security apparently did nothing about it - aren't they there to protect the bands too? Especially when the band is concentrating on a performance in front of 45,000 people and the missiles are coming out of the glare of the spotlights. And to spit at a band on stage is unforgivable.

 

Iron Maiden, like all the bands on Ozzfest, had to sign quite onerous legal documents part of which was promising not to throw anything into the audience, even wristbands!!! Ironic isn't it.

 

It is well documented on the web who was responsible for planning and participating in this attack and for musicians to join in this assault on other musicians is a shocking disgrace akin to treachery. You should all be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves.

 

We know who authorised 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. It is a good thing that the power was turned back on before there was a riot as you could sense on stage a lot of the huge audience were getting totally pissed off at this continual onslaught on the band.

 

The great majority of the Ozzfest crew throughout the tour were terrific and we thank them. Those who participated or stood idly by and watched as this all went down should also be ashamed of themselves and l would certainly hope they never come near a tour with which we are involved.

 

There is little point in my commenting on the chap with the flag or their trying to hold up Eddie or Sharon's speech as the audience made their feelings very clear on each occasion.

 

And in the end what was all this about?? If l had any sort of problem or misunderstanding with a band working on a tour we were involved in l would go and talk to them or their manager - not wait until the end of a tour and assault and ambush them. Or was that really it?

 

I find it staggering that this ambush would take place in front of any audience, let alone in San Bernardino, the biggest audience of the tour. Didn't that audience merit any consideration? They pay an awful lot to be there in terms of prices for tickets, parking, food, beer etc. Surely if they spend this sort of money they deserve to watch the bands they paid to see be able to put in a full unhindered performance. Free of danger and intimidation. If I had paid I would ask for my money back!

 

And this audience really were outstanding, giving the band incredible support and many voting with their feet in disgust after the set and the speech, which to many was the final insult.

 

I have to say l was immensely proud of Maiden who stood up to it all and showed great courage and just got better and better through the adversity. Their heads never dropped, instead they went on the offensive. It was a truly memorable moment when Bruce went to the very front of the stage during Trooper - something which he never normally does as he is usually on the ramps - waving the flag whilst avoiding the hail of missiles and yelling 'This is a ****ing British flag, and these colours don't ****ing run!'. The imperturbable attitude and ability of the band shone through and in the end made this a truly remarkable rock and roll event, even if for all the wrong reasons.

 

We will have no more to say on this matter except that l do think the band deserve an apology from a number of people, and you know who you are.

 

ROD SMALLWOOD

MANAGER, IRON MAIDEN

CHAIRMAN, SANCTUARY ARTIST MANAGEMENT

[Walsingham]

This is not just about trowing eggs.

 

Have you even read the article?

 

They did a lot of things to try and ruin their performance.

 

For what?

 

Because someone doesn't like your silly show?

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I'll come clean. I didn't read the article. WHAT? You've all done it. But seriously, metal bands should be cool if people throw _grenades_ at the stage. OAP fethwits.

[Gabrielle]

Ozzfest sucks. Why? The Osbournes suck.

[Meshugger]

I think this has to be the milestone of retardness in the history of Heavy Metal.

[kirottu]

I think this has to be the milestone of retardness in the history of Heavy Metal.

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No. That was the "Osbournes" Tv show. This is just one of the backlashes. It