An extremely controversial 24-year musical career will come to an end when Ozzy Osbourne wraps up his "No More Tears" tour on July 30 in New York.
Subtitled "No More Tours," the U.S. tour in support of Osbourne's sixth solo studio album is promised to be his last. Osbourne, leader of the seminal heavy metal outfit Black Sabbath, isn't saying whether or not he'll continue his recorded musical legacy after the tour, but he said part of him is dying with the tour."I'm addicted to rock 'n' roll," Osbourne said in a recent telephone interview. However, he also said that he's taking out time to concentrate on his family, especially his three children.
"No More Tears" includes "Mr. Tinkertrain," a harrowing account of child molestation that goes a long way to proving his new dedication.
"Molestation is one of the most terrifying thoughts that any of us who have children have," Osbourne said. "If anybody ever went near my children I'd kill them."
Surprisingly, much of "No More Tears" is similar to that song, with "Desire" and "Road to Nowhere" both painting aching autobiographical pictures of America's favorite scapegoat, accused at varying times of everything from animal cruelty to inciting suicide to devil worshiping.
Osbourne said the current and final tour - which will make its Salt Lake stop Sunday, June 21, at the Delta Center - will feature more of a dedication to the music, not the attitude, and includes the tightest band lineup he's worked with since Sabbath.
L.A.'s Slaughter, a metallic four-piece band touring in support of its "The Wild Life" LP, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Metallica and Motley Crue, bands that shot to fame after supporting Osbourne on tour.
"Ozzy is a legend," Slaughter bassist Dana Sturm said. "We feel so lucky to be part of his last solo tour."
Opening the concert will be five-piece Ugly Kid Joe, which have made quite a splash in the music world with its poppy and metallic single "(I Hate) Everything About You." The bratty band from Isla Vista, Calif., also made a hit with Salt Lake crowds last year at the Bar and Grill. Osbourne invited the group - whose name is a mocking tribute to L.A. glam band Pretty Boy Floyd - on the tour, and the band pays tribute to Osbourne with its "Funky Fresh Country Club," which incorporates Black Sabbath's "Sweet Leaf."
Tickets for the show, which starts at 7 p.m., are $20 in advance from all Smith'sTix outlets or $22 the day of show.