April 25, 1981 at Tampa, Florida (Sun Dome). When they started and finished, it was pure hot and energetic response from the crowd. Florida's crowd was loose and open. By the third track, fists were in the air. Some fans even held up makeshift Chris Cornell signs. Radio DJs called in the next day saying the opener "blew expectations out of the water."
And with 5 days of difference from the next and final stop for April 1981, Ozzy Osbourne invited Chris Cornell for a Florida nightlife.
Since this was still 1981, restriction for age was not that strict, so bars were not that really into woke things. And since rock and roll was all about the lifestyle, everyone could imagine how Ozzy Osbourne's 80s life was.
—--------------------------------------NEXT SCENE--------------------------------------------------------
After the show in Tampa.
Chris Cornell sat alone in a corner of the green room, towel around his neck, still riding the energy of the stage.
Ozzy Osbourne burst in like a storm, his presence loud even without speaking. He pointed a finger at Chris Cornell with a wide grin.
"Kid. You bloody tore the place down tonight!"
He smiled, humbly. "Thanks, man. That means a lot coming from you."
Ozzy Osbourne walked over, holding two small red Solo cups. He handed one to Chris Cornell without ceremony.
"Here, cheers to your first Garden gig."
Chris Cornell hesitated for only a second, not out of fear, but to check the moment. Then he accepted the drink and clinked it gently against Ozzy Osbourne's.
"To Rock and Roll!" he said.
They both drank. It was whiskey, sharp and earthy, and Chris Cornell did not flinch.
Ozzy studied him for a beat, nodding in approval. "You are not like the other kids."
Chris Cornell just smirked and took another small sip. "I'm not trying to be."
Ozzy laughed and slung an arm around him. "You will be alright, kid. Just do not let this world swallow you whole. That is my honest advice to a young man like you."
"Ready for a night in Tampa!?" When Ozzy Osbourne said these words, the Sub Pop Inc staff and session band members knew what it was, he was inviting Chris Cornell, a 16 year old, to the night life! The adult nightlife!
'Well… that escalated quickly.' James thought, remembering that internet meme he saw before he died.
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As for James, what do you expect? It was the usual thing!
[CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ARTIST'S SUCCESSFUL SHOW!]
[AUDIENCE APPROVAL RATING: 99%]
[AUDIENCE SIZE: 10,000~]
[YOU HAVE BEEN AWARDED A $990,000 MONEY BAG!]
'Oh… I see, I should foot Chris's bills tonight then…' James laughed in his thoughts.
"Joseph…." He quickly gave money to Joseph Kennedy Sr to hand over to the staff who will go with Chris Cornell and Ozzy Osbourne.
—--------------------------------------NEXT SCENE--------------------------------------------------------
April 30, 1981 at Dallas, Texas (Tarrant County Convention Center). The show from start to finish was very unexpected, it was definitely the breakout moment for Chris Cornell and the label, Sub Pop Inc.
Texas crowds are known for big energy and big skepticism, but Chris Cornell shattered both. After his closing number, the roar of the crowd reportedly equaled Ozzy Osbourne's entrance. Local bootleggers started distributing tapes of his set the next day.
After the show though, the whole crew celebrated along with Ozzy Osbourne and his band members. It was a night of booze and laughter.
—--------------------------------------NEXT SCENE--------------------------------------------------------
[CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR ARTIST'S SUCCESSFUL SHOW!]
[AUDIENCE APPROVAL RATING: 99%]
[AUDIENCE SIZE: 13,500~]
[YOU HAVE BEEN AWARDED A $1,336,500 MONEY BAG!]
'At last, I can rest for some time before we do next month's tour.' James sighed as he looked at his reward.
—--------------------------------------NEXT SCENE--------------------------------------------------------
INT. BACKSTAGE OFFICE, Tarrant County Convention Center, April 30, 1981. Evening.
Dim fluorescent lights buzz above. Sharon Osbourne stands at a cluttered table littered with tour itineraries, contracts, and cigarette butts. She was in mid-conversation with Don Arden, Ozzy Osbourne's former manager and her father, now clashing with her over strategy. Beside her, Rod Smallwood, Motörhead's manager, waits silently, arms crossed, while Bill, a rep from Jet Records, reviews a typed memo.
Chris Cornell's booming voice echoes faintly from the stage beyond the thick concrete wall, his final song of the night.
Sharon Osbourne, who has a firm and resolute facial expression said, "Chris has done great, better than we expected. But we need a band that pulls ticket sales in the Midwest. Lemmy does that. Motörhead brings the metal crowd. We can't afford to waste May."
Don Arden replied "Indeed, and he is 16, Sharon. That kind of attention makes the label nervous. He is not under Jet. He is on some upstart label owned by some unknown guy. What was his name, Joseph something?
Sharon Osbourne nodded, "That guy runs Sub Pop. They are green, but sharp. Still... It is politics now. CBS wants a UK act tied closer to Jet. Lemmy is a safer bet for business."
Bill from Jet Records chimed in. "We've already got marketing deals aligned with Bronze Records. Motörhead's tour support is subsidized. We do not get that with Chris Cornell. No backend, no leverage." His tone was full of doubt.
Rod Smallwood flatly added, "Motörhead is ready. No drama, no minors, no legal headaches. And they will show up on time."
Sharon Osbourne smiled as he replied, "Chris deserves credit. He lit up every night, and fans liked him. But he is not ours. He does not sell records through us. Lemmy does."
She added, "Put Motörhead on for May. Make it official."
Bill nodded, "Done. I will call Cornell's people. Tell them we are "reshuffling support acts" for regional logistics."