I LOVE YOU ALL: RIP Ozzy Osbourne

 Ozzy has been a fixture for nearly my entire life. Random memories: 

Hearing "Shot in the Dark" on the radio as a little kid. 

Learning "Crazy Train" at guitar lessons.

Scotti Hill singing "Mr. Crowley" into his hairdryer in the Skid Row home video "Oh Say Can You Scream" and wondering wtf that awesome song was. 

Wondering why he didn't headline the Moscow Music Peace Festival when the Russians seemed to be there to see him. 

Listening to "No Rest For the Wicked" all the time. 

"No More Tears" and "Mama I'm Coming Home" being on MTV basically nonstop. 

The introduction of Zakk Wylde into our lives. 

Later, I got more into his music that didn't get played on the radio. 

It took me until 2010 to finally see him play (Ozzfest). And from the barricade no less. 

Getting to catch up on old tours and live Black Sabbath through YouTube. 

The livestream 2 weeks ago from Villa Park.

And now listening to Jose Mangin crying on the air as we say goodbye.

It's honestly really hard to write something super cohesive right now, so I will just say thank you, Ozzy. For all of it. 

REPORT: "Metallica Saved My Life," part 2

 

The movie, directed by Jonas Åkerlund, is basically about the relationship between Metallica and their fans. While the movie does cover the early days of the band, it’s not a movie about their career as a whole. The background information about their beginnings really serves as more of a foundation to show how they built a following— from fan #1, all the way to the present-day generation of 12-year-olds. It's filled with emotion and joy, and if you're a superfan of any band, you'll be able to relate.

REPORT: "Metallica Saved My Life" movie premiere, part 1

"But then the girl in front of me in line said “I just heard James is here.” I froze. Her male companion froze. He said quietly “If James is here, my mind is going to f**king explode.” I said “Same. SAME.” He said “Why am I nervous that he’s here?” I said “I don’t know, but now I am too!” I know why.

2023

 

I am still going to shows and shooting them! But what I've really spent my time writing over the past year was a screenplay. I finished a full first draft, edited it, left it alone for a few months to get some space from it, and now I'm about to dive back into it for a second round. I don't want to say too much except it's inspired by the Metal scene of the early 80's (think Metallica/Anthrax not Motley/Poison). 

In the meantime, I've been posting photos on my Flickr and Instagram if you'd like to see what I've been up to!

The Metallica "Last Caress" / "So What" Diary, Conclusion

The conclusion I have reached after watching this video every day for a week. 

CONCERT REPORT: Global Citizens Festival 2022

Metallica at Global Citizens Festival 2022

Mariah Carey at Global Citizens Festival 2022

It's hard to believe I've been to gazillions of concerts in New York City and not one of them landed me on the Great Lawn in Central Park. I'd been to the SummerStage, but never the big show grounds where Simon & Garfunkel and Diana Ross made history. My day was finally here! I had the privilege of attending the Global Citizens Festival yesterday and want to share the good and not-so-good things about being part of the event. 

CONCERT REPORT: 4 Nights with My Chemical Romance

Gerard Way singing with My Chemical Romance
Philadelphia, 2022

It has been a roller coaster with this tour. First, when many tours flat out canceled the shows forever back in 2020 until they felt comfortable booking again/knew they could have shows again altogether, they were my only show that said "No. This is going to happen. Come hell or high water." I have never committed to a show 2 years in advance in my life. It was a bizarre feeling. But it was so worth the wait.