OZZY OSBOURNE BLAMES DOWNLOADERS FOR ALBUM FLOP:

November 1, 2007

Ozzy Osbourne has lashed out at illegal downloaders, blaming them for the poor sales of his new album Black Rain. The heavy rock icon claims he is "suffering terribly" from the effects of internet piracy, and his financial woes are such that he has been forced to perform 90 concerts in an effort to recoup his losses.

He tells Australia's Herald Sun newspaper, "If they don't find something to stop (this), people won't be able to make records. There won't be any new bands. How are they going to survive?"

Osbourne admits he's struggling to complete a grueling world tour he felt committed to after his new release took a hit in the record stores.

And he refuses to heed his manager/wife Sharon's advice and "just stand there" onstage.

He adds, "I ain't getting any younger. Sharon says to me 'Just stand there.' I can't just f---ing stand there! I'm a moving target. People would aim their can of beer at my head!"

As overly dramatic as this is coming from a guy that has plenty of cash, it's true. Downloading is ruining record sales. Bands are getting screwed.

I'm not gonna deny that downloading is a problem. However, if Ozzy truly is in such "financial woes" then maybe he and Sharon shoulda re-thought this past summer's "Free OzzFest" idea.

On the other hand, if he hadn't put all the money he made in the 70s and 80s (y'know, when he actually SOLD records) up his freakin' nose, maybe he wouldn't HAVE any financial woes.

It's a vicious cycle. All these stupid reissues are because of the downloading. Of course, they're also pissing off those that would buy the CD, forcing them to download the extra tracks and such. In the end, we'll all lose.

I haven't even heard much off the new Ozzy album (I haven't liked anything he's done since NO MORE TEARS) but wasn't overly impressed with what I did hear. Do y'all think that another reason it didn't sell might be, perhaps, just MAYBE, that possibly it wasn't very GOOD??

Not hatin', since as I said, I haven't heard the album in question, just playing devil's advocate here. Seems like a lot of big bands, if their album tanks, are quick to point fingers at downloaders...when in fact they simply made a crappy album.

Downloading is an issue affecting low sales, but the biggest issue is the variety of entertainment options that people have nowadays as opposed to 20 years ago.

Case in point: the comics industry is way down too but downloading is not really an issue. It has been affected by the much larger variety of entertainment options the same way music has lost sales.

Comics require not only reading but a monthly dedication and the ability to try and put a story line together piece by piece. Kids just aren't into that type of thing anymore.

I have all the Ozzy studio albums except the newest and really don't have much desire to pick it up. I like the songs I have heard from it but it doesn't really seem like anything that I can hear done better on the previous couple of albums. I'll wait until I see it used and cheap to get it.

Ozzy's sales bad??? What? The album "Black Rain" has already went gold. What - is he expecting a platinum album like "No More Tears"? The album is well on the way of going platinum. It's already GONE GOLD in a few months!!!



This is taken from Wikipedia:

..........................................................................

Black Rain debuted at #3 on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling about 152,000 copies in its first week; making it Osbourne's highest debut to date. As of September 29, 2007, the album has sold 406,053 copies in the US, and has been declared Gold

............................................................................


So, this is a bit baffling to me. A gold album is quite successful. This makes no sense. Are you sure the source of this article is valid?

I'd say in some instances it does hurt sales but there are those bands who want you to DL their cds just so they can get heard.

Ozzy hasn't put out a really kick a$$ album in ages and yes the free ozfest hurt, but he tends to wine alot anyway!

I really didn't like the cd as a whole their may have been a couple good songs and packaging was horid!

I'd say he hurt himself more than the general public did!

Wargod48

NP: Not Fragile - Scratch The Surface

I hate downloaders too but i can understand people not buying OZZY´s new album.

I bought it and i liked it a lot so Ozzy got my dosh in the end. missed him in concert though which was gutting

The pinnacle of Ozzy's career post-Black Sabbath is his live rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".

I hate people who re-record bass lines on their previous albums to avoid paying someone his just royalties.

I hate musicians who have based their entire career based on their guitarists' talent only to diss them if they choose to leave.

I hate people who whine in monotone into a microphone and bounce around like a mentally challenged wombat.

There are alot of injustices in this world, but stiffing a talentless prick of his 20 cent royalty on a Crazy Train mp3 is not high on that list from my viewpoint.

Everyone needs excuses - Ozzy (and Metallica) needs it too.