Diary of a Madman

Heavy metal paladin Ozzy Osbourne died last week, more than 40-years after I warned him that he might. 

Stuff this in Your Pocket

My parent’s generosity paid for my college education, in cash from the register at my father’s paint store.  Twenties, Fifties and Hundreds stuffed into the pockets of my jeans each semester as I returned to campus, though their generosity had its limits.  If I had any needs beyond that education I'd have to fund them myself, my father’s frequent refrain being “I’m not paying for weed or women.”

So I was going to need a job.

Through a fraternity brother I found work as a security guard at concerts and other events held on campus. By junior year I had become director of security with responsibilities that included coordinating with campus police to ensure our events complied with campus safety policies. 

So I would have thought little of it when a campus police officer approached me and said “Captain Bell needs to see you” as we prepared for an Ozzy Osbourne concert in 1984. I likely jogged the few strides between Ritchie Coliseum and the police station, with little more on my mind than the weed and woman my work would help acquire. 

A naïveté which expired as I walked into Captain Bell’s office.

I was introduced to the Maryland State Police investigators, FBI agents and campus police now crowded into the room. Getting to the point, Bell hit play on a tape recorder set in the middle of his desk and I immediately understood why they were all here: a threat against Osbourne’s life.

I can’t say that I recall much from their discussion, though I could never forget how it ended with Captain Bell looking at me after someone asked the day’s most important question.

Who’s going to tell Ozzy?

Re-entering Ritchie Coliseum I walked behind the stage towards the dressing room where Osbourne was most likely to be, now just an hour before the show.   Knocking, I awaited reply before opening the door.

On the floor was Ozzy Osbourne, wearing the signature white clothing which sausaged his flesh as he warmed up for the show. Addressing him as Ozzy I introduced myself as he finished his last pushup before going on to explain the current situation.

I extended Captain Bell’s offer to cancel the show on his authority, which brought Ozzy to his feet and got the attention of his manager who had walked over to join the conversation. Both men stepping closer before voicing their replies.

From arm’s length the Prince of Darkness conveyed minimal concern before declaring the threats to be commonplace and that the show would go on, at least I think that's what he said. When his manager mumbled what sounded like concurrence I thanked them and left to report to Captain Bell, who gave me an assignment for while Ozzy was on stage.

Not as part of their plan to keep Ozzy safe, but as part of the response if they failed to do so. 

Before the concert began I took my position near the front of the stage, hidden behind a stack of equipment Bell assured would keep me safe. From that perch I’d keep both eyes on Ozzy for the entirety of the performance, a police radio in my hands should I notice he got shot.

The Prince of Darkness lit the night as I observed him from my blind, fixated on his contours despite the distractions of the stage.  Forty-years later the experience remains among my most enduring allowing vivid recall of that meeting in Bell’s office, Ozzy’s garbled tones as we spoke that night and the remarkable perspective I had of his performance. 

Rest in peace Ozzy, and thank you for that night which I’ll never forget.

Softer for Longer

While Ozzy was slipping from this realm Sherwin-Williams chief executive officer Hiedi Petz was busy reporting on the state of hers. 

During a webcast Q & A Petz shared that sales had increased less than 1% in the second quarter, far below the 6% price increase the company implemented earlier this year inferring a reduction in gallon volume which Petz did not mention in the webcast.    

In stores sales were up just 2%, further reflecting gallonage declines despite boasts of share gain in the rezi-repaint segment.  More likely those “gains” are just Sherwin clawing back some of volume they lost to dealers during raw material shortages in 2022, plus gains they’ve made against Pittsburgh as that brand has devolved.    

Petz and her team spoke at-length about the situation at Pittsburgh, without ever mentioning that brand’s name instead referring to the “volatility at a competitor.”  Her comments referred to this “once a career” opportunity, something Hiedi and I finally agree on.

Beyond that opportunity Petz forecast “softer for longer” demand for her coatings, having already told this same group last quarter to expect soft demand for the remaining two-quarters this year.  Petz’s update reflects pessimism for the American economy from the executive.

Something else which we agree on. 

#ozzyosbourne, #ozzy, #black sabbath, and #rockandroll #SherwinWilliams