Ozzy Osbourne to bookend Sunset Strip fest

Ozzy Osbourne will open and close the second annual Sunset Strip Music Festival, scheduled for Sept. 10-12 on the famed stretch of West Hollywood pavement, according to a press release.

Osbourne will kick off the three-day fest Sept. 10 when he is honored at a tribute event at the nearby House of Blues. On Saturday (9/12), Osbourne will perform the festival's final set , during which the Sunset Strip (between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Blvd.) will be closed to automobiles in order to host two concert stages.

Osbourne's appearance will mark his first full performance on The Strip in nearly 40 years; Black Sabbath performed a five-night run at the Whisky A Go-Go in 1970 during the band's first US tour.

As West Hollywood preps for the SSMF, Osbourne's image looms large in the form of a 12-story-tall billboard directly across the street from The Roxy Theatre and Rainbow Bar & Grill. When lit at night, Osbourne's image reportedly can been seen from miles away.

Joining the festivities on Sept. 12 will be more than 40 acts--including Korn, Pepper, The Donnas and Kottonmouth Kings--performing on two street-side stages and at participating clubs, including Key Club, The Roxy, Cat Club and the Whisky.