July 10, 2002: Ozzfest launched its nationwide tour featuring 21 acts spread across two stages at Montage Mountain Performing Arts Center, Scranton.
Montage became the launch pad for the gathering because two early dates were postponed because of a surgery Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne’s wife and manager, underwent for her colon cancer.
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- Crystal Vose strikes a wicked pose at OzzFest at Montage Mountain on July 10, 2002. Times-Shamrock Archives
- An aerial photo of Montage Mountain Performing Arts Center during Ozzfest on July 10, 2002. Times-Shamrock Archives
- Thousands of fans pack Montage Mountain this morning to see Apex Theory, one of the first acts at Ozzfest on July 10, 2002. Times-Shamrock Archives
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- Hard rocker Rob Zombie lets loose during his set at Wednesday, July 10, 2002 Ozzfest on Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
In addition to the festival’s namesake, the all-day event featured music from Rob Zombie, System of a Down, Black Label Society, Adema, Drowning Pool and P.O.D. on the main stage. On the second stage, audiences found bands Ill Nino, Neurotica, Apex Theory, Lostprophets, AndrewWK, Down and Pulse Ultra.
- Michael White and Christina Cappella, both from Newburgh NY, were among the first in line for OzzFest at Montage Mountain on July 10, 2002. Times-Shamrock Archives
- Phil Hanadel wears a star spangled dew rag at Ozzfest on July 10, 2002 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
- Hard rocker Rob Zombie lets loose during his set at Wednesday, July 10, 2002 Ozzfest on Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
- Dave Chavarri, drummer and founder of the band Ill Nino, strikes a pose on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 during OzzFest 2002 at Montage Mountain. His band played earlier in the day on the second stage. Times-Shamrock Archives
When it finally came time for the one and only Ozzy to take the stage, he treated those gathered to a sneak preview of the upcoming season of his and his family’s popular reality television series, “The Osbournes.” After that, he greeted fans with, “I (expletive) needed you guys tonight, man,” and proceeded to moon the crowd.
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- Hard rocker Rob Zombie lets loose during his set at Ozzfest at the Pavilion at Montage Mountain on July 10, 2002. About 13,000 fans turned out for the music festival. Times-Shamrock Archives
- Justin Cooper and Kelly Godfrey stand in line at Ozzfest on July 10, 2002 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
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- An aerial photo of Montage Mountain Performing Arts Center during Ozzfest on July 10, 2002. Times-Shamrock Archives
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- Fans wait to get into the Pavilion at Montage Mountain for Ozzfest on July 10, 2002. TIMES-TRIBUNE FILE
He went on to play “Crazy Train,” “War Pigs,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Iron Man” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” During one point in his set, Ozzy told the audience, “You guys aren’t (expletive) wild enough! I can’t (expletive) hear you” – to which the thousands on the mountainside responded with a thunderous chant of, “Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!”
He ended the evening with “Bark at the Moon” and “Paranoid,” but that wasn’t the end for Ozzfest in Northeast Pennsylvania – it returned to Montage in 2003 and 2006.
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- Adam Perez, Gina Harris, Charley Harris, Janet Sitkowski and Tom Thornton, stand in line at Ozzfest on July 10, 2002 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
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- J.J. Carrill, 14, stands in line at Ozzfest on July 10, 2002 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
- Sam Bullock sports a black mesh shirt and black eye make-up at Ozzfest on July 10, 2002 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
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- David Collins Jr., 9, shows off a bright orange mohawk at Ozzfest on July 10, 2002 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
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- Tony Giannott and Shanna Yurko wait in line at Ozzfest on July 10, 2002 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
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- Ron Willhauer, 14, shows off a bright red mohawk at Ozzfest on July 10, 2002 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
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- Shavo Odadjian, bass guitarist for System Of A Down, performs on Wednesday, July 10, 2002 at OzzFest at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
- Jim and Kimberly Brown, show up at Ozzfest on July 10, 2002 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
- Ed Konopki and Alesia Kuzo enter Ozzfest on July 10, 2002 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
- James Antizzo and Tara Watrous show up at Ozzfest on July 10, 2002 at Montage Mountain. Times-Shamrock Archives
Related –
Time Warp 2003 – Ozzfest bring big names to Montage Mountain
Local History – Ozzy Osbourne causes legal flap in Scranton
Brian Fulton has been the librarian at The Times-Tribune for the past 15 years. On his blog, Historically Hip, he writes about the great concerts, plays/musicals and celebrity happenings that have taken place throughout NEPA. He is also the co-host of the local history podcast, Historically Hip. He competed and was crowned grand champion on an episode of NPR quiz show “Ask Me Another.” Contact: bfulton@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9140; or @TTPagesPast
