The opening act:
"After five decades, Black Sabbath will launch a farewell tour next year. The heavy metal band starring Ozzy Osbourne announced dates for its The End tour, which kicks off Jan. 20, 2016, in Omaha. Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, and bassist Geezer Butler will visit 17 North American cities before heading to Australia and New Zealand for seven shows. More concerts will be announced next month. Original drummer Bill Ward, who had a falling out with Osbourne, is not part of the tour (AP)."
The songs in their set:
Black Sabbath
War Pigs
Lord Of This World
Electric Funeral
Children of the Grave
Johnny Blade
Iron Man
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Killing Yourself To Live
Symptom of the Universe
Never Say Die
Sweet Leaf
Paranoid
They could have played so many more (I didn't include anything from the Dio era or Ozzy's solo career), and I may not be working on the Sabbath tomorrow after the late night.
Now for the main $how:
"Production of renowned Ovation guitars to resume in US" by Dave Collins Associated Press September 04, 2015
HARTFORD — The Connecticut factory that produced Ovation guitars for nearly a half-century before closing last year will resume making the renowned instruments, thanks to the efforts of factory employees.
Four workers remained on the payroll after the New Hartford plant closed, and one of them, Darren Wallace, spent hundreds of hours of his own time setting up what equipment was left so it would be ready if production ever began again.
After Ovation Guitar Co. was sold in December, the new owner planned to move the remaining operations to California, but decided to keep them in New Hartford after seeing what Wallace had done. The factory had a reputation for turning out acoustic guitars praised for their tone and craftsmanship. Music legends who have played Ovations include Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, Glen Campbell, John Lennon, Mick Jagger, and Eddie Van Halen.
That is how they ended their shows. Get you all nice and mellow as you headed toward the exits.
‘‘I knew that ultimately it [Ovation] would be sold, and I wanted to make sure we made a good impression on the new buyer,’’ Wallace said.
Fender Musical Instruments Corp. closed the plant in June 2014, saying it was ending domestic production because of market conditions and insufficient sales, while still making less expensive versions in Asia. More than 40 workers lost their jobs, and most of the factory equipment was sold at auction.
But Wallace and others did not give up hope that the factory would reopen, and they managed to keep repair and servicing operations in New Hartford. Wallace became brand manager for Ovation in Bloomfield at Fender subsidiary KMC Music, while the three others who were retained after the closing repaired and restored guitars.
The repair workers moved into a separate building on the property, while most of the main factory building was leased to others. Wallace arranged the equipment that was left in the building, so that it would be ready to go if needed.
When Drum Workshop of Oxnard, Calif., bought Ovation from KMC Music, the new owner planned to move the remaining equipment to Oxnard and resume US production of the guitars there. But chief executive Chris Lombardi changed his mind after meeting the workers and seeing the production space, Wallace said.
‘‘I’m really happy Chris Lombardi was willing to take a chance on the place,’’ Wallace said.
Wallace will run the plant. Two workers who had been laid off were rehired to build new guitars, and they may get help from time to time from the three repair workers.
Employees have started building prototypes and intend to ramp up production this month. While Asian-made Ovation models can cost as little as $300, Ovations made in New Hartford will run between $3,000 and $5,000, Wallace said.
--more--"
So where have all the antiwar bands gone anyway?
Last one I can remember is Rage Against the Machine.
