Ozzmosis

Riding that 'Crazy Train' - Ozzy Osbourne Fans come out in droves for Ozzmosis

January 10, 2010 | Nichols, New York

iReport —
NICHOLS, N.Y. -- Nearly four decades after the "Godfather of Heavy Metal", Ozzy Osbourne released his first record with Black Sabbath, the English born vocalist is still drawing massive numbers of fans to stages around the world for tribute performances.
 
On January 9, 2010, hundreds of heavy metal fans moved from assigned seating and quickly packed the floor area near the stage at Tioga Downs Racino in Nichols, N.Y. during an Ozzy Osbourne performance delivered by "Ozzmosis", a Long Island based tribute band.
 
With hands outstretched towards the stage and roses in hands, Ozzy Osbourne fans were brought back in time as 60-year old Bobby commanded the stage as Ozzy, performing songs the fans were dying for like "Crazy Train", "No More Tears", "Mr. Crowley", and a couple Black Sabbath tunes.
 
But the performance that Ozzmosis delivered to fans took a lot of work and creation, combined with years of studying. According to Frankie, the lead guitarist, the musicians have spent their time studying all of the video performances of Ozzy Osbourne over the years, and used this to develop their shows.
 
Frankie also described how the band members came to be a Tribute Band that delivers a tastefully replicated Ozzy Osbourne performance.
 
At 42 years of age, Frankie explained how he grew up at the tail end of Black Sabbath when Ozzy went solo. At that time Frankie was into performing on lead guitar at "Vampire Clubs". Frankie also owned Murphy's Music in Long Island, and he talked of how he received a flyer one day of a band that was looking for a guitar player.
 
At first, because of commitments to his music business, Frankie didn't think much of the opportunity to join the band. But eventually he gave in, and soon the band with all its members would form.
 
Bobby, who performs as Ozzy, started his singing career years ago with a Four Tops, Rascals and Deep Purple influence. But one evening someone told him he looked like Ozzy Osbourne and that is when the idea behind Ozzmosis was born.
 
Soon, members Bobby, Zeke, Jimmy and Frankie would comprise Ozzmosis, and would begin taking the stage throughout the United States at venues located in Atlantic City and Los Vegas.
 
But in occupations in the automotive, music and floral industry, the band members soon began to ride that crazy train as they brought Ozzy music to life on stage for tribute performances.
 
The band not only studied the music and show videos of Ozzy Osbourne performances, they also choreograph each show to bring it the flavor of an original performance.
 
"During our first photo shoot people thought we were real and it caused a riot," said Frankie. Dan Devine, stage manager, talked of how he brought his own mother to a show, and how she actually thought Bobby was Ozzy. "The fans chant Ozzy's name when they are on stage," said Devine.
 
Devine also works hard behind the scenes to adjust lighting, smoke effects, and the stage setup with candles and gothic style holders. "We have all the theatrics of a Broadway show," said Devine.
 
And the main focus of the show, Ozzy, is a good fit for Bobby as he captures the audience with his long black hair, long black fingernails, and the word Ozzy spelled out on each of his fingers. Feeling a natural for the part, Bobby said he never gets stage fright.  "The spiders ate the butterflies a long time ago," said the 60-year old Bobby. "For real," he added.
 
And the staff at Tioga Downs got more than they bargained for when they brought Ozzmosis to their casino in Nichols, N.Y. on Jan. 6. According to Lynn Redder, director of marketing for Tioga Downs Racino, the first show sold out at 600, and another show had to be scheduled for later in the evening.
 
The addition of another show pleased the many fans that arrived for Ozzmosis. Joe Reed, who arrived at the casino in Nichols from Binghamton, N.Y., has been an Ozzy Osbourne fan since the early 70's. "I grew up with his music," said Reed. "I went to many of his shows when I was younger."
 
Waiting patiently for the second show - and wearing a long leather coat, Ozzy Osbourne t-shirt and round rim glasses - was 19-year old Trisha Shoemaker of Newfield, N.Y. Bearing unusual resemblances to Ozzy Osbourne, Shoemaker had an opportunity to meet Bobby from Ozzmosis, and even learned that Bobby had a tee-shirt identical to the one she was wearing.
 
"I know everything there is to know about Ozzy," said Shoemaker. She noted that her favorite Ozzy Osbourne song is "Spiders".
 
Shoemaker definitely stood out among the 600 that crowded the venue at Tioga Downs for the first show, and amongst the hundreds that awaited an additional performance.
 
"If you do a good show and you have a good product, people will come to see you," said Bobby about the crowd that arrived to see his show.
 
To learn more about Ozzmosis you can visit them on the web at http://www.officialozzmosis.com. - CNN Report