OZZY OSBOURNE Misses Another OZZFEST Date, Still Recovering From Laryngitis

OZZY OSBOURNE was a no-show at Saturday's (July 12) concert at the White River Amphitheatre near Auburn, Washington, reportedly recovering from laryngitis that had also sidelined him from a few previous shows.

As was the case with Wednesday's (July 9) show in Maysville, California, KORN slipped into the headliner spot so Osbourne could take a breather, and refunds were being offered to fans who had come to see Ozzy.

Most of the concert fans seemed to take Ozzy's absence in stride, according to the King County Journal. Only about 130 people asked for refunds for the mostly sold-out show. The amphitheater seats nearly 20,000.

"All I live for is music. I want to see the rest of the show, so I'm staying," Derrick Gucinski, 16, of Renton said Saturday.

"The show still will be cool. I'm glad KORN's here, and it's a great day outside,'' said Tony Baltazar, a teenager who drove to the amphitheater with friends from Vancouver, Wash.

Mike Montoya, a 34-year-old Spanaway resident, said he had seen Osbourne every year for the last 20 years and was extremely disappointed he would miss him this year.

"I am heartbroken he is not going to be here," Montoya said. "I would kiss the man's feet if he were here. I love him."

"I'm mad at him right now," Angela Battee, 35, declared to Tacoma News Tribune. "Four days to get over laryngitis?"

She and her husband had paid a broker $400 for a pair of tickets in the area closest to the stage.

"But it's worth every penny, whether he's here or not," said Allan Battee, 36.

At one point during DISTURBED's set, frontman David Draiman paused to chastise fans who dared boo at the mention of Osbourne's name. "Don't you ... boo!" he demanded. "He's the godfather of metal and he's fallen ill."

"Keep Ozzy in your prayers tonight," he said later. "Let's hope he gets well soon."