For Justin Roman, watching bands carry out basic steel songs at Ozzfest ’97 was an unforgettable expertise.
And never simply due to the riot.
Solely 14 years previous on the time, Roman, who lives in Athens County, stated the performances got here to a “fairly superb” shut as varied musicians appeared on stage collectively at Polaris Amphitheater enjoying basic Black Sabbath songs.
However when Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo introduced headliner Ozzy Osbourne wouldn’t be making it to the present in any case, issues bought a bit too wild.
Associated Ozzy Osbourne article:From Cher to Ozzy Osbourne, see the 2024 listing of Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame inductees
Want a break? Play the USA TODAY Day by day Crossword Puzzle.
“After we seen they’d lit the fence on fireplace, my dad stated we needed to depart,” Roman stated.
Followers vandalize Polaris Amphitheater after Ozzy does not present
Roman’s memorable live performance expertise was 27 years in the past Monday. That is when pandemonium broke out on the Polaris Amphitheater as a result of Osbourne did not present as much as his personal live performance.
On June 17, 1997, the heavy-metal legend was scheduled to carry out in Columbus alongside along with his band, Black Sabbath, as a part of the annual Ozzfest music pageant tour.
However Osbourne fell in poor health after a live performance in New Jersey and wound up within the hospital.
In Columbus, followers have been knowledgeable that Osbourne can be late, and handled to performances from bands and musicians similar to Pantera, Marilyn Manson, Sort O Destructive, Worry Manufacturing facility and Machine Head.
Based on Dispatch protection from that point, Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo broke the information at 9:25 p.m. that Osbourne wouldn’t be coming. Disappointment was widespread amongst the gang of roughly 18,000 folks.
Here is how former Dispatch pop music critic Invoice Eichenberger described the scene: “On its approach out, the gang lit not less than three brush fires on Polaris property, smashed the field workplace home windows and tried to climb in, threw objects at staff (who shortly exchanged their uniforms for road garments), tore down the picket fence across the facility, destroyed neighbors’ fences and bushes, and closely broken not less than one automotive within the car parking zone.
“Columbus police known as in reinforcements, together with a helicopter to get folks to go away.”
Ozzy followers keep in mind an evening of pure chaos
Sam Natcher II remembers the helicopter.
Now 46 and residing in Stark County, Natcher was a youngster having fun with his first Ozzfest. His recollections of the day embody law enforcement officials in riot gear, the illumination from the helicopter overhead and, after all, the fires.
“We may see the glow from the fireplace from folks burning the fence on the best way out,” he stated.
As chaos ensued, Natcher stated he vividly remembers a person swinging a 2×4 plank of wooden, which he suspects got here from a torn fence, whereas standing on prime of a flower field.
(Roman, for his half, snagged a chunk of damaged fence as a memento.)
Folks have been spitting and throwing a lot grime, based on Eric Forson, that it was virtually “raining sod.”
“A lot was occurring unexpectedly,” Forson, 51, of Urbana stated. “I had by no means seen something prefer it.”
Robert Beckman, 52, of Westerville, stated he remembers the gang had been “bizarre and stressed” all night time. When the riots started, he shortly tried to get his pregnant girlfriend away from the scene.
“I simply keep in mind shielding her as a lot as I may so we may get out of there,” he stated.
Ozzy Osbourne’s return
A number of weeks later, Osbourne lastly made it to central Ohio for a July 1 make-up present.
Natcher was there and stated the singer referenced the occasions of June 17.
“He identified to the garden and one thing alongside the strains of, ‘How do you guys like that new fence I simply purchased?'”
ABayo@dispatch.com