Author Of 'Fire OZZY FROM BLACK SABBATH' Petition Apologizes, Says He Wasn't Being Serious

January 19, 2005

James Clarke, the author of the recent petition calling for Ozzy Osbourne to be fired from BLACK SABBATH, has issued the following statement:

"I would like to apologize to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, BLACK SABBATH, and their fans for my petition to have Ozzy fired from BLACK SABBATH. I was trying to make a facetious statement, but I fear that, by being too subtle, this petition may have been taken literally.

"This petition was intended to be a tongue-in-cheek vehicle through Ozzy could be informed that he risks a falling out with BLACK SABBATH fans if he continues to show what appears to be signs of disinterest in the future of BLACK SABBATH. My only aim was to motivate Ozzy to focus on the survival of BLACK SABBATH by going back into the studio and finishing the long-awaited new BLACK SABBATH album.

"I didn't expect this petition to be taken as a serious calling for the shakeup of the band's lineup, and I apologize to those signatories and readers who were lead on. Now that news of this petition has made it to newspapers [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, BigNewsNetwork.com, Reality TV World] I fear the consequence of serious consideration of it's stated purpose, and thus I feel that it is my responsibility to come clean.

"As a huge BLACK SABBATH fan, I would be devastated were BLACK SABBATH to suffer through a second dissolution of the original lineup. The reunion of the founding members is one of the highlights of the history of rock n' roll, and I am should be least one to take it for granted.

"As Ozzy once sang, 'Who is Fooling Who?' I guess I was fooled into thinking that people would recognize this as a practical joke.

"My apologies to all, James Clarke"

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