For years, we hard rock/heavy metal fans have begged and pleaded for one of our own to be featured during a halftime show. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages on Earth and yet we can’t catch a break when it comes to whom gets booked to perform. I mean, is Metallica really more controversial than Janet and Justin and the whole “Nipplegate” fiasco?

So when news broke a couple weeks ago that the Prince of F’ing Darkness was going to be performing during halftime at a football game, I for the first time in a long time cared about what was happening in the NFL. Thinking that they finally get it and we’re getting one step closer to someone like Metallica at the Super Bowl.

Ozzy Osbourne hasn’t performed live in quite some time. Between COVID delaying his No More Tours tour, then the surgery that he had a few months ago, it was looking uncertain if he’d ever take the stage again. Then a few weeks ago, he hit the stage at the Commonwealth Games in the UK, marking the first live performance from him in three years. Woohoo! Ozzy is back!

Last Thursday, Ozzy was tapped to perform during halftime of the of season opener for the Los Angeles Rams game against Buffalo. He was there along with long time guitarist, Zakk Wylde; drummer Tommy Clufetos, bassist Chris Channey and guitarist Andrew Watt. The setlist included his newest single and title track of his brand new album, “Patient No. 9” and his classic “Crazy Train”.

Imagine then, the anger that swept thru fans who tuned in to watch this historic occasion only to have NBC cut coverage short. How short? Try all but 10 seconds. That’s how much coverage the network provided before going back to the commentators who apparently, with their 20 minutes of rehashing the first half, was more important. Yea, I call bullsh*t  on it too.

Thank God for the internet. The Ozzy YouTube channel put together a great package of both songs:

There is also this fan shot footage:

Of course the internet wouldn’t be the internet without complaining: Was Ozzy lip syncing? Was it pre-recorded? Was HE, as in his vocals, pre-recorded? Or was it auto tune?

I gotta be honest… WHO FREAKING CARES???? The dude is 73 and make a triumphant return to the stage and had a freaking blast doing it.  I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Ozzy at least a dozen times and I’m damn proud of him and excited to have him back, even if he needs a little help. (You’ll notice his decent at the end, there was a safety bracket in place)

Ozzy’s new album, by the way, features not only Jeff Beck on the title track, but also Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi, Eric Clapton, Zakk Wylde, Chad Smith of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Duff McKagan of Guns n Roses, Robert Trujillo of Metallica and the late Taylor Hawkins.

What a line up! Oooh….. can we do all of this for a Super Bowl halftime show? THAT I would watch!