COREY TAYLOR: 'Without OZZY OSBOURNE, There'd Be No Me'

Corey Taylor says that he is "stoked" about STONE SOUR landing the support slot on Ozzy Osbourne's final tour.

"No More Tours 2", a reference to Ozzy's 1992 "No More Tours" trek, kicks off August 30 in Allentown, Pennsylvania and concludes October 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a Thursday, October 11 stop at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Speaking to Cincinnati, Ohio's 96 Rock radio station earlier today (Tuesday, February 20),the STONE SOUR vocalist stated about the prospect of sharing the stage with Osbourne (hear audio below): "We're so stoked. 'Cause we've been kind of sitting on that for a little bit. I knew that we were in the running for it, and when we got the word that we got the gig, we flipped out."

Corey, who also sings for SLIPKNOT, added that the BLACK SABBATH frontman has been a huge influence on him over the years. "Without Ozzy, there'd be no me — period," he said. "Not only have I been a fan, but I've known that family for going on almost 20 years now, and the support that they've shown me over the years is incredible. So to be able to have that happen again with STONE SOUR, man, I'm beyond blown away."

Asked if he ever paid to see an Ozzy Osbourne concert as a fan, Corey said: "Oh, yeah. Of course. I saw him on the 'No More Tears' tour with… oh, man… I wanna say it was… I think UGLY KID JOE was on that tour. I was a weird bill. It was a hell of a tour. And then I saw Ozzfest '98, right before SLIPKNOT went on it, and we were all freaking out. We were, like, 'Oh, wouldn't it be great to be able to see this?' It was the Ozzfest in Madison, Wisconsin where Ozzfest and the Warped tour met, and it was in the same place. So the whole day was both concerts going on at the same time. It was insane."

Taylor also expressed his doubt that Ozzy will completely call it quits, saying: "Well, let's remember the [tour] is called; it's 'No More Tours 2'. I remember 20 years ago when this happened the first time. And let's not forget that KISS has been on their own farewell tour for, like, 20 years now… It seems like everybody's just, like, 'Okay, we're gonna split. Nah, we're just kidding.' It's like that really long, uncomfortable goodbye at a family reunion. You say you're leaving an hour before you actually get to the car. It's just ridiculous."

Taylor revealed last week that guitarist Josh Rand will rejoin STONE SOUR on April 27 at the Welcome To Rockville festival in Jacksonville, Florida. Rand came off the road late last month and was said to have entered "treatment" for unspecified issues. Taylor told Musik Universe that the band talks to Rand "every day" and that he is "doing great."

STONE SOUR enlisted a temporary replacement for its most recent North American tour, which included dates with HALESTORM, IN THIS MOMENT and RED SUN RISING.

It is not clear whether Rand is being treated for a medical issue or problems with substance or alcohol abuse.

STONE SOUR is touring in support of its sixth studio effort, "Hydrograd", which came out at the end of June and features the chart-topping rock radio hit "Song #3". The latest track issued from the disc is "Rose Red Violent Blue".