Ozzfest Takes Dallas, Sweet Homecoming Tribute To Fallen Legend: local reporter on the scene

In its sole appearance for 2008, Ozzfest rumbled into Frisco, Texas Saturday for an afternoon of sweltering heat, incredibly loud sound, and some of the best hard rock and heavy metal music on the planet.

In years past Ozzfest had been a traveling circus of sorts. This year featured only one appearance from the otherwise mobile circus and Ozzfest 2008 delivered a memorable day of great music, high energy, and a hometown tribute to the late, great, ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott.

Summer in Texas is generally no place for 50,000 people to congregate in the sun, but Saturday brought scattered clouds, good vibes, and a slight cool-down from the 100 degrees plus that Dallas/Fort Worth had seen for nearly two weeks straight.

Pizza Hut park, a brand new professional soccer stadium, hosted Ozzfest this year to rave reviews and excellent results.By most accounts this year’s Ozzfest ran very smoothly and the attendees enjoyed the very posh surroundings of Frisco and Pizza Hut Park. With ample space, super modern amenities, and plenty of VIP space (and air conditioning) in the Verizon Wireless Lounge, the Ozz-folks could not have chosen a better venue for this festival.

Co-headlining Ozzfest 2008 was rock legend and occasional reality-TV star, Ozzy Osbourne and a re-vitalized, post therapy Metallica- In their first ever appearance at Ozzfest and only appearance in the US since Bonnaroo.

The highlight of Ozzfest for many fans was the all-star tribute to ‘Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott- the Dallas native and legendary guitarist who was gunned down on stage in 2004. Darrell’s brother and bandmate Vinnie Paul (Pantera, Damage Plan, Hellyeah) lead a rousing tribute to the fallen legend including; Kerry King (Slayer) King Diamond, and Max Cavalera (Sepultura, Soulfly).

The most moving part of the ‘Dime’ tribute was the unplugged performance of the Pink Floyd tune ‘Wish You Were Here.’ The acoustic jam featured Jerry Cantrell, (Alice In Chains) Scott Ian, (Anthrax) Lars Ulrich, (Metallica) and the stunning Pearl Aday-daughter of rock crooner/actor Meatloaf. Family, friends, and everyone else within earshot congregated around the side stage during the performance and sang along loudly. So that (as Vinnie Paul put it) “Dime can hear ‘yall upstairs!” I think he got the message loud and clear. It was a perfect setting, a great moment, and a fitting tribute that will not soon be forgotten.