'OZZFEST 2007 For Free' Press Conference: Photos Available

February 6, 2007

A number of photos have surfaced online of the news conference held this morning by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife/manager Sharon to announce that Ozzy will stage this year's Ozzfest, his annual U.S. summer hard-rock extravaganza, as a first-of-its kind free event. The 12th annual rock festival headlined by Osbourne will kick off July 27 in the Los Angeles area and play 25 dates. The announcement, which opened with Osbourne spray-painting the word "FREE" in black letters across an Ozzfest 2007 poster, came on the first day of the Concert Industry Consortium, an annual gathering of tour promoters and producers. Check out the pictures:

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"Everybody has been so good to us over the years, and year after year ticket prices get higher and higher and higher," Ozzfest co-founder Sharon told MTV News. "And we just thought we can't keep on raising ticket prices because there is not that much money out there anymore. Hey, kids can go online and download music, why not go to a show for free too? What the heck? Ozzy's got a new record coming out this year, he'll be touring the whole year. There is plenty of time to make money."

Sharon Osbourne said none of the bands will be paid, outside of merchandise sales, but they will be encouraged to play shows on off-nights.

"You know what, we are giving them a stage. Even if it's for 30 minutes, be a part of an event, because this is what it is going to be: an event," said Sharon, who is expecting a more rotating lineup than in the past. "It's going to be a groundbreaking, great time for everyone. And we're saying, 'Go out the next night and get paid a zillion dollars.' "

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