It seems like ancient history now but back in 1994, Osbourne approached the folks behind Lollapalooza about getting her husband/management client, Ozzy, on the package. She was told that the Ozzman wasn’t hip enough to tour with the then-hot alt fest.

Times have changed. Lollapalooza and other major festivals have fallen silent while Ozzfest flourishes. The hard rock extravaganza launched in 1996 and has kicked several artist’s careers into high gear – including Marilyn Manson, Limp Bizkit, Sevendust, Slipknot and Incubus.

Just days after this year’s Ozzfest ended, Osbourne spoke with Pollstar about the evolution of the tour and her plans for the future.

What kind of aspirations did you have for the tour in the beginning?

We went into it blind – absolutely blind. I’d done Monsters of Rock in England, so I’d done big shows before and I new about putting a festival together, but I had no idea if it was going to work. We had nothing to lose.

Do you think this was the most successful year for Ozzfest?

I think it was successful as far as the audience goes, but what really seems to have changed is the media’s perception. They’ve accepted us, finally. In previous years, we were this little hard rock festival – something that wasn’t going to stand the test of time. Suddenly, everyone has embraced us.

You have an uncanny knack for picking artists on the verge of breaking big.

I’d like to say that I have great ears but I think it’s just luck. I’m definitely not an A&R person.I pick all of the artists on the festival and I just go with the bands I like.

Now that we’re a credible touring festival, I think we get the cream of the crop to choose from each year.

Has the artist development aspect become more important to you?

You know what it is? Ozzy could do a shed tour every year and sell out. He could do it on his own but it would be no fun. There would be none of the satisfaction that we get from working with these bands and the people that we meet along the way.

There’s nothing better than to see what happens to the bands that start out on the second stage – like Godsmack and Incubus. It’s phenomenal. You have to remember that two years ago Incubus was opening on the second stage. Seeing them with a platinum album is just an amazing feeling.

You get to a point in this business where you have achieved all of your goals. All of our dreams have come true. This is about giving something back. We realize how lucky we’ve both been. We’ve both been blessed by this business and it’s nice to be able to help others along the way.

Is it true that Ozzy won’t tour with the festival in 2001?

I started that [rumor] because I wanted him to stay home next year but he won’t. He’s back in the studio recording a new album and he’ll be back on the road next year.

How have you kept the tour virtually trouble-free over the years?

A lot of people in the industry think Ozzfest isn’t cool because we play [amphitheatres] and we have seats. We play normal venues rather than alternative ones, and the reason for that is so I can control the situation.

Sheds are a controlled environment. There’s water, there are proper toilets, there’s proper security; I can control it. When you go into these wide open spaces, there’s no shade, there’s no water, it’s dangerous.

I don’t care if people think it’s not cool; I know that those kids are safe.

What kind of changes are in store for next summer?

It’s going to be even more about artist development. We usually start the main stage at 12:30 while the second stage starts at 10:30 (a.m.). What I’m going to do is have two side stages. The main stage won’t start until 5 in the afternoon.

This way we can have more new bands and as one stage finishes the other can start right next to it. We can double the new talent. There won’t be as many bands on the main stage. There will be four or five instead of eight or nine.

We’re also going to revamp our concourse area so it’s like a village atmosphere. There will be major changes next year.

Another big change is that we’re starting in Europe, coming to the U.S. and then going on to South America. The lineup will change from Europe to America.

Why didn’t Ozzfest go to South America as planned this year?

It didn’t happen because Sony put Ozzy in the studio. It was like, “Sorry Ozzy, we’re not waiting one more month.”

Have you decided against taking on more management clients for the time being?

I’m writing a book. I start it next month and Ozzy is starting on his. He’ll be working on the book while he’s in the studio. We’ve got too much going on and the festival comes first, so I just don’t have time for management right now. I can’t take on any acts because I wouldn’t be able to do my best right now.

Do you get a perverse sense of satisfaction because Ozzfest prevailed and Lollapalooza didn’t?

I don’t. I just don’t think about it that way. Honestly, they did me the biggest favor. I owe them a lot for turning us down.