The already tedious row between Iron Maiden and the Osbournes continued yesterday as Sharon Osbourne again hit out at the rock band following their stint on the recent Ozzfest US tour. As previously reported, the public row followed Iron Maiden's final Ozzfest performance in San Bernardino on 20 Aug during which there were a number of interruptions, including the throwing of eggs, cutting of sound and stage invasions. The band said Sharon Osbourne, who has criticised frontman Bruce Dickinson for undermining Ozzy, deliberately sabotaged their set because of her grievances with Dickinson. Sharon yesterday admitted those allegations were true, but defended her decision to ruin the band's set.
In an open letter to the band and their manager Rod Smallwood, Osbourne writes: "I did cut Iron Maiden's sound. This is the way I look at it: Ozzfest is our tour. We built it into something that's lasted 10 years now. We've been responsible for breaking many new bands and resurrecting the careers of former superstars. Part of our success stems from the fact that when a band is on Ozzfest we treat them with nothing but kindness and respect just as if we had invited them into our home. You can ask all of the bands who have been on the tour. They all describe it as the 'ultimate summer camp'. It's like one big family."
"Unfortunately Dickinson doesn't have the manners to realise that when you are invited into someone's home, are seated at their dinner table, are eating their food and drinking their wine, you shouldn't talk disrespectfully about them otherwise you just might get your ass handed to you. Every action has a reaction. Was Dickinson so naïve to think that I was going to let him get away with talking shit about my family night after night? I don't think he realises who he's dealing with. I will not endure behaviour like this from anyone."