Ohio fans remember Ozzy’s impact, 1997 riot

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Music fans are mourning the Prince of Darkness after it was announced Tuesday that legendary singer Ozzy Osbourne died.

Osbourne left his mark with fans from all over the world and in Ohio as people across the state remembered both the highs and lows of his legendary career in the Buckeye State.

“I remember it was in mid-June, and I believe it took place on a Tuesday,” said Kevin McMeans. “Ozzy and Black Sabbath were supposed to headline that night.”

McMeans is recalling OzzFest 1997. Nexstar’s NBC4 was there 28 years ago as thousands of people made their way to the Polaris Amphitheater excited for a night of music, but that all changed. 

“They announced that Ozzy would not be appearing that night, and then that’s when the riot broke loose,” McMeans said. 

Ozzfest was founded by Osbourne and his wife Sharon. It was held almost annually between 1996 and 2018. For McMeans and countless others, Ozzfest 1997 was unforgettable. 

“People throwing trash cans and breaking windows, and I remember the fence at the back of the lawn was burning down and got all torn up and stuff like that,” he said. 

Osbourne’s legacy is now forever enshrined in the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was inducted twice, first in 2006 with Black Sabbath and again in 2024 as a solo artist. 

“It was so cool to have Ozzy here in Cleveland at the induction ceremony when he came onstage. The entire audience stood up and just cheered,” said Jason Hanley with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Since he was inducted just last year, fans can go check out the exhibit honoring him. 

“It really shows you that kind of character, the Prince of Darkness, that Ozzy created, and already I just walked up there earlier today, and you could already see a bunch of fans kind of standing around it,” Hanley said. 

Dr. Matt Donahue at Bowling Green State University teaches pop culture and regularly includes Osbourne in his curriculum.

“We go into depth as to Black Sabbath and Black Sabbath’s influence and role in terms of being the godfathers of heavy metal,” Donahue said. “It’s something that’s kind of absolutely important in terms of letting the youth know about this musical style.”