Howdy folks. Did you watch the Black Sabbath concert on Saturday? I didn't stream it, just watched the incoming YouTube vids, but I thought Ozzy sounded great. His voice was better than it has been in decades. He must've trained hard to get it there. I was especially happy to see Bill Ward back, as they'd been playing with a stand-in drummer for the past 20 years. He pounded the skins as if he'd never been away. Its amazing and inspiring when you consider that all the band members are nearing 80 - and considering the past "substance issues" of Ozzy and Bill, and to a lesser-but-substantial extent, Tony Iommi - that all four are still alive. It must be that Birmingham toughness, which gave rise to Black Sabbath in the first place. I first saw the band 51 years ago, at the legendary California Jam (which I've mentioned ad nauseum, I know). I was up against the chain-link fence, as close as you could get to the stage, getting crushed by the quarter-million fans in the crowd. They were the second rock group I'd ever seen live (Black Oak being the first at the same show), and I'll always remember the sheer power of their sound, and the low end that shook your bones.
If you watched their final performance on Saturday, you saw on the faces of the fans how much Black Sabbath has meant to people.
I was (and am) one of them, a fan since I was 12 years old. I was fortunate to see them six times in concert, most recently in 2014. I saw Ozzy several times as well. In January 1983, I got to have lunch with him, courtesy of Jon S., who was interviewing Mr. Osbourne that day. Jon invited me along as the photographer. I still have those pictures, and a tape of the interview.
In May 1983, Lillian and I saw Ozzy at the US Festival - which had an even bigger crowd than California Jam.
Before that, on New Year's Eve 1981, we attended Ozzy's concert at the L.A Memorial Sports Arena. With us were my two then-band members and the late Pat Forducci. Afterwards, we all drove to the Bonaventure Hotel, where the post-show party was happening. How we learned of this I don't remember, but we went. Unfortunately, there was a security guy blocking the doorway. It was my idea to look for a side door, and we found one unattended and unlocked. Yippee! I remember saying, "just act like we belong here". No sooner did we enter than we were talking to Don Airey.
Then we met Randy Rhoads. I still have that picture, too.
We also met Ozzy and Sharon, who had recently become his girlfriend. She looked a lot different in those days.
Wow, what a night! An amazing way to cap off 1981...
Anyhow, I hope you had a nice 4th of July weekend. I went to Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch for the fireworks, as always. Before that, I took a walk around CSUN, nice and quiet on a holiday afternoon. I continued south on Etiwanda, down to Rayen, then turned west toward Reseda Boulevard. On the way, at the corner of Rayen and Darby, I passed the "I Love You" house, important as a July 4th honoraria.
Why is it called that, and why is the date important? In part because, on July 4, 1981, it's where I played my first concert. Talk about "Back to the Beginning"...
Now, my band wasn't...(um)...as good as Black Sabbath, but we did play a few Sabbath covers. The important thing was that we had a blast playing them, and we knew this long-haired guy Bill from the nearby Liquor House (located at Rayen and Reseda, where the Northridge Mural now is). Bill invited us to play a backyard party at his pad on the Fourth of July. I mentioned it to Lilly, who had recently become my girlfriend. At the time, she was planning to see Cheap Trick on the 4th. If I recall correctly, they were playing in Bakersfield. But she ended up coming to the party and I was excited because I wasn't expecting her to be there. Lys was there, too, and Pat Forducci, and Jon S, and several other friends and acquaintances. Lilly and Lys mixed and served drinks. Pat got hammered and sang a few songs, swinging the mic like Roger Daltrey. I think I have a Super 8 film of him doing this.
But the best part of the night came when the party was over. Most folks had left. It was probably close to midnight or later. Bill was ushering stragglers out of his house, but Lillian and I were still there. I was sitting in an easy chair by the door. Lilly was on the armrest. At that moment, no one was around, and a feeling arose, prompted by togetherness and the start of a wonderful Summer.
Suddenly, I spoke three words, and Lilly repeated them back.
And that's why it's called "The 'I Love You' House", and why July 4th is a great day.
Thanks for reading. Back soon. Tons of love as always.
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