Ozzy Osbourne is set to be honored at the Sunset Strip Music Fetival as its “Sunset Strip Icon 2009.” To honor the honoring (what?) a large billboard was unveiled on August 20 featuring his image. The billboard hangs above Sunset Strip on the 12-story 9000 Building across from Strip icons the Roxy and Rainbow Bar & Grill. On the opening night of the Fest, September 10, Ozzy will be honored as an artist that has made an impact on the Sunset Strip. On Black Sabbath’s first tour in 1970, they performed a five-night stand at the Whisky A Go-Go. All-Star cover band Camp Freddy will perform at the event.
“This expansive wall not only celebrates our honoree, Ozzy Osbourne, it also serves to welcome everyone to the Sunset Strip and is certain to be a very photographed component of this year’s music festival,” noted Todd Steadman, executive director of the Sunset Strip Music Festival.
In other Ozzy building-related news, Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman rhythm section Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake are probably crashing at a homeless shelter somewhere.