Another Death on the Ozzfest Tour
By
Sefany Jones,
Contributing Editor
Friday, July 25, 2003 @ 3:14 PM
| This Year, Ozzy's Tour Manager
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Last year, Drowning Pool vocalist Dave Williams died while out on Ozzfest; this year Ozzy’s longtime Tour Manager, Bobby Thomson, passes away while out on the road.
The staff at KNAC.COM wish to extend their sincerest condolences to the Thomson family and all those affected by his passing.
From Launch.com:
(7/25/03, 7 a.m. ET) -- OzzFest was in mourning on Thursday (July 24) in suburban Detroit as word spread through the tour about the death of Ozzy Osbourne's longtime tour manager. Bobby Thomson, 50, who had worked for Osbourne since 1983, died in his sleep on Thursday night (July 23) at the Townshend Hotel in Birmingham, Michigan, after an 18-month battle with throat cancer. Thomson, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and a resident of Los Angeles, was discovered in his hotel room on Thursday morning.
In a statement Thursday, Osbourne said, "We are devastated by the loss of our dear friend Bobby. He has been a part of our family for 23 years and loved very much. He will be greatly missed by all of us. Our sincerest sympathies go out to the Thomson family."
Backstage at the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Independence Township, Michigan, tour personnel cried freely and embraced each other. Osbourne went on with his performance, though he periodically interrupted his pre-show workout routine to hug other OzzFest staffers.
About 20 minutes into the show Osbourne informed the crowd of Thomson's death and observed a moment of silence, during which his band members prayed silently. A photo of Thomson was displayed on the video screens at the rear and sides of the stage, and Osbourne dedicated his performance of "Goodbye To Romance" to Thomson--lightening the mood by mooning the audience during the song. He also dedicated an encore performance of "Mama I'm Coming Home" to Thomson.
There was no word Thursday on whether Thompson's death would affect any future OzzFest dates; the next show is Friday (July 25), also at the DTE Energy Music Theatre.
Thompson is survived by his wife, Terri, and two sons, Kevin, 19, and Jacob, 10. Funeral plans have not yet been announced.
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