During an appearance on the KLOS radio show “Whiplash,” Disturbed frontman David Draiman spoke about what it was like to tour with Ozzy Osbourne and was asked to name something that he took away from the experience.
“So much. Ozzy is the godfather of metal. He’s like a father to all of us. I love the man. I love his family. I couldn’t have more reverence for any human being on this planet,” he started, before recalling a show where he almost had to step in for the legendary singer.
“I think that one of the times that definitely stays in my mind that taught me that sometimes you just need to find the strength to push through was one particular Ozzfest — I think it was our third one — and Ozzy wasn’t feeling so well that day,” Draiman explained. “He was having a little bit of difficulty. And I remember Zakk [Wylde, Ozzy’s guitarist] and Sharon [Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife and manager] coming over to me, asking me if I would be willing to take over the set.
“And I’m, like, ‘No. They want Ozzy. They don’t want me.’ I’m, like, ‘I haven’t rehearsed.’ I said to her, ‘I haven’t rehearsed. I don’t know all the songs by heart.’ And she’s, like, ‘Well, there’s a goddamn teleprompter on the stage. Just read the words.’ I’m, like, ‘Yeah, well, it’s not that simple.’
“And then Ozzy had retreated back into his little vocal area, his little draped off area, and he was gargling and using a spray and trying to get himself clear. And he took a few more minutes and then he came back out and he started belting it out, and it’s like he pushed through whatever frog was in his throat, and his face lit up, and the energy immediately changed. And he ended up not only finishing the set, but I think playing an additional 15 or 20 minutes, and, and it was inspiring — it really was.”
Along with many other bands and musicians, Draiman will take part in Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne’s last ever show this upcoming July in Birmingham, UK. Addressing the event, and his participation in it, Draiman said:
“The man has been through so much. The man has done so much, and between Ozzy, Sabbath, you’re talking about the most seminal frontman and the most seminal band for hard rock and heavy metal in existence.
“I couldn’t be more honored [to take part in the show]. I couldn’t be more humbled to be a part of it. And I’m going to be like a kid in a candy store that day. It’s very, very surreal for me.”
