Ozzy Sues Tony: Is This Where All Bands End Up?
Another band of brothers ends up suing each other. How come all the greats end up in court?
DATE: MAY 29, 2009
Statement from OZZY OSBOURNE:
“It is with great regret that I had to resort to legal action against my long term partner, Tony Iommi, but after three years of trying to resolve this issue amicably, I feel I have no other recourse. As of the mid-1990’s, after constant and numerous changes in band members, the brand of "Black Sabbath" was literally in the toilet and Tony Iommi (touring under the name Black Sabbath) was reduced to performing in clubs. Since 1997 when Geezer, Bill and myself rejoined the band, Black Sabbath has returned to its former glory as we headlined sold-out arenas and amphitheatres playing to upwards of 50,000 people at each show around the world. We worked collectively to restore credibility and bring dignity back to the name “Black Sabbath” which lead to the band being inducted into the UK and US Rock & Roll Hall of Fames in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Throughout the last 12 years, it was my management representatives who oversaw the marketing and quality control of the “Black Sabbath” brand through OZZFEST, touring, merchandising and album reissues. The name "Black Sabbath" now has a worldwide prestige and merchandising value that it would not have had by continuing on the road it was on prior to the 1997 reunion tour. Tony, I am so sorry it’s had to get to this point by me having to take this action against you. I don’t have the right to speak for Geezer and Bill, but I feel that morally and ethically the trademark should be owned by the four of us equally. I hope that by me taking this first step that it will ultimately end up that way. We’ve all worked too hard and long in our careers to allow you to sell merchandise that features all our faces, old Black Sabbath album covers and band logos, and then you tell us that you own the copyright. We’re all in our 60’s now. The Black Sabbath legacy should live on long after we have all gone. Please do the right thing.”
It's the same as Led Zep without Plant. I mean really...
Ozzy, of courese, didn't help matters much when, the things leading up to the exit of Ozzy was of his own doing -the drugs, the alcohol and the general self-destructive behavior he had devlolved to because of his own personal reasons, but still, after Dio released two LPs w/Sabbath - "Heaven & Hell" and "Mob Rules". But Ozzy cleaned up his act - well, at least well enough to embark on a successful solo act, the whole time, though, continuing his decline from pummelling his body with dope and booze. But I agree with Ozzy completely - I've seen myself how Tony Iommi and even other people who have never had any connection to Sabbath - just Tony filling the spots that the real members abandoned when it the handwriting was on the wall - that Sabbath's best days were way behind them, but Tony first, after Dio left, got Ian Gillan to sing and Bev Bevan (former ELO drummer) and maybe Geezer was on Bass but I forget - that was called "Born Again" - that was 1984 - but since then Iommi has just taken the Sabbath name and really made it his own little moniker - even though it was Bill Ward who was into the Occult and dark stuff when they were starting out and Iommi, being a big blues fan, initially called the band "Earth Blues" - but with Ward's influence and input they compromised - Iommi's blues-tinged guitar and mind-blowing solos "Warning", "Hand of Doom" and that dreamy, beautiful closing acoustic solo on the beautiful "Planet Caravan" from "PARANOID" - so, Tony - stop dragging down the brand name "Black Sabbath" and remember - it's not YOUR band, you didn't name it Black Sabbath and you certainly didn't write all the songs by yourself, so yeah, you need to give deference to the other 3 members that, with you, made some of the coolest, most influential rock music of the 70s. Black Sabbath has always been (to me, anyway) Bill, Geezer, Tony and Ozzy. It's a collaboration, not a monarchy, led by king Tony.
Get on with it - the past is over, do something new, quit trading on your past. The past is gone - the future is NOW!