Ozzy Osbourne Hailed by Teen Fans in Long Beach

Ozzy Osbourne is an unlikely metal icon. He seems a bit old for his stretch pants and glittery garb. He incessantly urges his audience to clap and comes off just like a prim but spritely schoolmarm.

But rock god he is. Although his Friday show at the Long Beach Arena (the first of a two-night stand) was a strange blend of heavy ‘70s metal, ‘80s philosophizing, pyrotechnics and calisthenics, the Oz won an enthusiastic response from the 13,000-capacity house full of teens.

Osbourne doesn’t have the most dynamic presence in rock ‘n’ roll, but the songs themselves had a forceful command, from the early ‘70s Black Sabbath hits “Iron Man” and “Paranoid” to the massive, haunting “Fire in the Sky” from his latest LP, “No Rest for the Wicked.”

New guitarist Zaak Wylde--with his long blond hair, bell-bottoms and Gibson guitar--looks an awful lot like Osbourne’s late ground-breaking former ax man, Randy Rhodes, who died five years ago. Despite the physical similarities, though, the talented, Adonis-like Wylde has begun to stake out his own ground.

However, when the newcomer interrupted his flashy solo spot to deliver a hostile commentary about poseurs--most offensively attacking gays--it was a definite downer. Ozzy should let Wylde dress himself--and then tell him to shut up.

Second billed mosh maniacs Anthrax came close to stealing Ozzy’s thunder with their clownish antics and unique, upbeat brand of thrash. The cheerful New York quintet bopped around a gaudy red and yellow stage while ripping out fireball riffs. The high-level visual and aural entertainment offered by these wild men provided the most amusing moments of the night.

Opener Lita Ford alternated her aggressive rock ‘n’ roll persona with a sultry pop-rock image. Her tomboyish grin and hard-driven attitude already make her the sexiest woman in metal. She shouldn’t bother competing with the fluffy girlishness of lighter-weight artists.