On January 27, 1996, the legendary Ozzy Osbourne rolled into the Collar City for a headlining concert at the RPI Houston Field House. Ahead of the 30th anniversary of Ozzy’s first and only performance in Troy, asked fans to contribute memories for a special retrospective looking back at this exciting moment in Troy’s heavy metal history—and you didn’t disappoint!

The triple bill of Osbourne, Korn, and Life of Agony attracted a nearly-sold out crowd to the Field House that cold January evening in the Collar City, the first major concert at the venue in four years. It was an exciting evening of music, moshing, and even a few manic Ozzy fans who took things to the extreme.

With the help of recently-rediscovered concert video from the show, we revisit this thrilling show with the help of stories from countless fans there that night in Troy.

To see video of Ozzy’s concert in the Collar City, or to share your own memories of the gig, visit http://troystorypod.com/ozzy

Episode Notes

• The Polytechnic: Ozzy Rocks Fieldhouse: https://digitalassets.archives.rpi.edu/do/40649a04-e0d8-4daf-9a5a-b6439a5ffd57#page/14/mode/2up (page 14)
• Times Union: Ozzy Osbourne Comes Roaring Back into Town https://timesunion.newsbank.com/doc/news/0FB6CECE2345FA2C?search_terms=ozzy&text=ozzy&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=ATUB&sort=old&page=3&pdate=1996-01-29 (Jan. 26, 1996)
• Times Union: Jonathan Davis Finds Life with Korn Liberating https://timesunion.newsbank.com/doc/news/0FB6CEC86C1503EF?search_terms=ozzy&text=ozzy&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%5B0%5D=ATUB&sort=old&page=3&pdate=1996-01-26 (Jan. 26, 1996)
• Ozzy & Kids on Joan Rivers https://youtu.be/O1MGM1PoIvo?si=z1nCDUbVFa1wco61

Music Samples:

• https://pixabay.com/music/classical-string-quartet-vivaldi-spring-allegro-185007/

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky

We planned to release our new episode looking back at the thrilling performance from The Prince of Darkness in the Collar City. However, a personal emergency delayed our post-production schedule. We’re obviously disappointed, but still plan to bring this new episode to you soon.

However, we didn’t want to let this anniversary pass by unrecognized. A few weeks ago, we reached out to Troy’s city council to ask if they would formally acknowledge this special moment in Troy‘s musical history. Earlier this month, the council's Finance committee last gave preliminary approval to a resolution commemorating the 30th anniversary of Ozzy's performance at RPI's Houston Field House on January 27, 1996.

More: http://troystorypod.com/ozzy

Concert Video: Watch on YouTube

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky

Four letters. One syllable. TROY.

On January 5th, 1789, a group of settlers living in an area known as Vanderhyden gathered at a local tavern. The purpose? To select a new name for their fledgling community along the Hudson River.

Notes:

• City Kicks Off Bicentennial Celebration (Spectrum News)
• How Troy, NY Got Its Name (YouTube)
• The Architecture of Downtown Troy, An Illustrated History
• Hart Cluett Museum
• Lansingburgh Historical Society

Credits:

Produced, edited, and hosted by John Salka
Theme music by Steven J. Goldman, Four Legs Records

Visit troystorypod.com for upcoming episodes, guests, and bonus content.

Connect with Troy Story on:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Threads
• YouTube
• Bluesky