the least we can do

The news of Sharon Osbourne's cancer was shocking to everyone who has ever followed Ozzy Osbourne's career close enough to know that Sharon is the foundation behind it all. Although shaken up, metal fans were relieved and ready to rock again when it was learned that the cancer was curable and that Sharon would make a full recovery.

Now the metal world's been shaken up again, this time by the news that Sharon's cancer has spread out of her colon and into a nearby lymph node. Despite her prognosis being "very, very good", it'll take three months of chemotherapy to rid her body of the dangerous cells. This would be traumatic enough for any happily devoted man, but add to the fact that Ozzy's got a tour to do and it makes things all the more horrible for the Ozzman himself.

Think about it. If Ozzy Osbourne leaves the Ozzfest tour, what becomes of it? The tour's top draw goes missing, and the festival probably just wouldn't feel the same. That's not to take away from System of a Down, Adema, or any other artist on the bill, but Ozzfest just can't be Ozzfest without Ozzy. At the same time, however, who is going to blame a man for leaving a travelling concert festival to be with his cancer-stricken wife of way over 25 years? In all honesty, I would be off the stage and in the hospital room before the paparazzi even had ahold of the news.

But that's not the case here. Sharon is handling this with the typical twisted, Sharon Osbourne kind of grace, while giving Ozz the push to get up on stage each and every night. Hell, the woman's even allowing MTV camera crews to film the treatment for "The Osbournes"' second season, and I can't wait for one of the doctors to make some sort of a wise crack whilst recording is taking place.

In all seriousness, though, Sharon Osbourne's situation is something that would unite any other normal family. For the Osbournes, though, it makes them even tighter. Any educated metal fan knows that Ozzy started Sharon's management career, while Sharon brought new life into Ozzy's musical career. It's a symbiotic relationship straight from the depths of hell, and something that heavy music in general can hang its proverbial hat on. Everyone that attends an Ozzfest show from here on out, show some support for our #1 family. It's the least we can do.