Rock ‘n’ Bedroll: Camp Ozzy Will Precede Concert

The first time British rock stars got the unlikely idea of sending rock ‘n’ roll fanatics to camp, it was strictly fictional: The Who climaxed their rock opera “Tommy” with a sequence set in “Tommy’s Holiday Camp.”

A good time was had by none, least of all Tommy, who was left staggering around the campground while plaintively calling out, “See me, feel me, touch me, heal me.” Campers had rebelled against his program--no booze, no weed, no music, no talking, go around blindfolded all day, with pinball the only recreation--and tore the place apart.

Camp Ozzy promises to be more frolicsome.

In a new wrinkle--or at least a revived wrinkle harking back to the late ‘80s when Deadheads were invited to camp out in the Irvine Meadows parking lot before they wore out their welcome by straying onto neighboring properties and causing damage--fans at Ozzfest ’99 are being invited to make a camping weekend out of the daylong heavy-metal festival.

For an extra $28 per person, Ozzfest ticket-holders can reserve a spot at Camp Ozzy, in a county-owned lot about a mile from the concert venue, Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion in Devore.

Camp Ozzy will accommodate as many as 3,000 campers who bring tents or vehicles; a general store will sell provisions, and there will be places to barbecue and shower.

Four area bands and a deejay will perform at the camp Friday evening as a warmup for the next day’s main event, and campers can live it up and not worry about getting to and from the gig: Shuttles will provide transportation. Camp opens Friday at 3 p.m. and closes Sunday at noon, after fans have had time to sleep off their rockin’ revels at Ozzfest.

Camp Ozzy is the brainchild of Sharon Osbourne, wife and manager of Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne.

Sharon Osbourne wanted to replicate the camping that’s routine at big rock festivals in Europe.

“It’s safer because the kids don’t have to drive after a show. And it makes it more of a day out.”

Campers shouldn’t count on appearances, musical or otherwise, by Ozzy Osbourne or other name musicians from the festival, she said.

Asked whether putting 3,000 partying heavy-metal fans in one place for nearly 48 hours might create security concerns, Osbourne put up her verbal dukes.

“That’s just ignorance,” she said. “It’s a perception, it’s not a reality. When you’re talking about a group of people that has kept us living in the lap of luxury, you ain’t going to get one bad word from me about this crowd. They are the salt of the earth, the best.”

Alan DeZon, regional vice president for Blockbuster’s operator, SFX Entertainment, said members of the regular Blockbuster security staff, “people who understand what these [fans] are all about,” will serve as bouncers--uhh, counselors--at Camp Ozzy, with backup from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department if needed.

If all goes well at Camp Ozzy, DeZon said, Blockbuster may put on similar camp-outs for ticket-holders at future shows.

* Camp Ozzy information: (909) 886-8742.--M.B.

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Ozzfest ’99

The Schedule

Main Stage

1:15 p.m: Hed(pe)

2:10: System of a Down

3:05: Godsmack

4:15: Primus

5:25: Slayer

6:45: Deftones

7:55: Rob Zombie

9:15: Black Sabbath

Side Stage

11:25 a.m.: Slipknot

12:05 p.m.: Puya

12:50: Static-X

1:45: Apartment 26

2:40: Drain STH

3:45: Plushmonkey

4:55: Flashpoint

6:05: Fear Factory

Ozzfest ‘99, Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion, 2575 Glen Helen Parkway, Devore. 11:25 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $28 (lawn seating only). (909) 886-8742 (taped information) or (714) 740-2000 (Ticketmaster)

Los Angeles Times