Ozzy Osbourne had the massive Moonstock music festival crowd barking and howling at the moon as the celestial body drifted directly in line with the sun.

As darkness fell, Osbourne spread his arms and reveled in the energetic atmosphere as the band broke into “Bark at the Moon” before the throngs gathered at Walker’s Bluff in Carterville. 

Among the crowd of thousands of mostly middle-aged rockers, one fan stood out: 11-year-old Kaya Bigley of Murray, Kentucky. Bigley said she has been a fan of the Black Sabbath-frontman since birth.

Asked what might happen to Osbourne during the eclipse, Bigley said, “I think he’ll turn into a bat.”

Though the crowd seemed lethargic at times — the temperature Monday reached a high of 90 degrees and Osbourne’s performance began at 1:21 p.m. — Osbourne and company still put on quite a show.

“I f***ing love you all,” he yelled from the stage after several encores.

Eighties glam-rock band Aquanet kicked off the festivities at 11 a.m.

“Walker’s Bluff did such a good job with all the events … the stage setup looks phenomenal, and it’s going to be a great day,” said frontman Gunner Sweet.  

Many bought one-day tickets to the festival just to see Osbourne.

One such person was Chase West of Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He said he plays guitar in a band and Osbourne and Zakk Wylde, a guitarist who performed with Osbourne on Monday, are two of his heroes.

“I consider this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” West said.

West said he expected Osbourne to go crazy when the eclipse reached totality.

“He’s an animal,” West said.

As the moon completely covered the sun, Osbourne laughed and threw buckets of water onto event security near the stage.

While Osbourne continued his performance following the eclipse, Wylde walked through the crowd playing his guitar over his shoulder.

For many in attendance, Moonstock was a one-of-a-kind event. Terry Bissey of Flora, who arrived at the festival Monday morning, was one of these fans. He said although some of his friends passed on the opportunity to see the concert, he would’ve had a hard time doing the same.

“We zipped over here and commenced drinking some beer,” Bissey said. “It was a life-changing.”

Staff writer Paul Beckmeyer can be reached at [email protected].

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