Ozzy? Joint? Let the fun begin

Spencer Patterson

Friday, March 14, 2003 | 8:51 a.m.

Bummed that Nevada isn't on the tour schedule for Ozzfest 2003? Well, buck up.

Tonight at 8, Las Vegas gets its own sneak preview of the summer festival's headlining act when Ozzy Osbourne stops by The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel for his first live performance of the year.

Osbourne played his most recent concert at Rain in the Desert at the Palms in October. He has eight solo Canadian dates slated for June, followed by the 28-show Ozzfest tour of the United States, which will also feature Marilyn Manson, Korn, Disturbed and Chevelle, among other acts.

Osbourne, who turned 54 in December, can also be seen on MTV's hit reality series "The Osbournes." In a recent interview with CNN's Larry King, Osbourne's wife and manager, Sharon, said the show's third season has already been filmed and will begin airing in June.

Fans of "The Osbournes" can also revisit the series' first season in a new two-disc DVD collection, available in both censored and uncensored versions.

According to Osbourne's official website, tonight's show will mark the farewell appearance for bassist Robert Trujillo, a member of Osbourne's band since 1996. Trujillo was recently tapped as the new bassist for Metallica, replacing James Newstead, who left the band in 2001.

Osbourne's guitarist, Zakk Wylde, will bring his own band, Black Label Society, to Las Vegas on April 3 for a concert at the Huntridge Theatre. Eight days later, Osbourne's daughter, Kelly, will perform at the Huntridge on April 11.

Who: Ozzy Osbourne.

Where: The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel.

When: 8 tonight.

Tickets: $155.50, $305.50.

Call: 693-5066.

Opening act: None.

Personnel: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Zakk Wylde (guitar), Robert Trujillo (bass), John Sinclair (keyboard), Mike Bordin (drums).

Latest release: "The Essential Ozzy Osbourne" (Sony, 2003)

Album feedback: "By the late Eighties, Ozzy was metal's Old Faithful: frightening by design and never daring to innovate. 'Mama, I'm Coming Home' ... was spartan folk metal for a bruised generation, but most of Ozzy's Ninteties output blended together into an unaware, babbling cacophony." (Rolling Stone, 3 stars).

Essential releases: Black Sabbath: "Paranoid" (1971), Black Sabbath: "Master of Reality" (1972), "Blizzard of Oz" (1980), "Diary of a Madman" (1981), "Tribute" (live) (1987), "No More Tears" (1991).

What to expect: If last year's one-off at the Palms is any indication, fans should expect a slew of hits, spanning both Ozzy's years in Black Sabbath and his solo career. Last time around, he performed "Suicide Solution." Also, expect some sort of send-off for departing bassist Trujillo.

Recent set list: Rain in the Desert at the Palms, Las Vegas, Oct. 25: "I Don't Know," "Mr. Crowley," "War Pigs," "Gets Me Through," "No More Tears," "Crazy Train," "Iron Man," "I Don't Want to Change the World," "Flying High Again," "Goodbye to Romance," "Suicide Solution," "Bark at the Moon," "Mama I'm Coming Home," "Paranoid." (from fansite ozzyhead.com).

Known Las Vegas appearances: March 19, 1972 (Convention Center, with Black Sabbath); Sept. 8, 1975 (unknown venue, with Black Sabbath); June 20, 1981 (Aladdin); June 11, 1986 (Thomas & Mack Center); June 28, 1997 (Sam Boyd Stadium, solo and with Black Sabbath); Jan. 2, 1999 (Thomas & Mack Center, with Black Sabbath); June 15, 2000 (The Joint); Oct. 25, 2002 (Rain in the Desert).

Says Osbourne: "When I hear people say, you know, we've been married for 20 years and we never said a cross word between us, I think they must be living in different houses. Because some days -- we just get off to a bad story, you know. ... But I couldn't imagine myself being with any other woman than my wife Sharon." (Larry King Live, March 8)