EXCLUSIVE: Airport bosses are considering how best to honour the late Black Sabbath singer following worldwide outpouring of grief after his death last week aged 76
Birmingham Airport could become Ozzy Osbourne International after nearly 50,000 fans backed the name switch.
Airport chiefs are considering how best to honour the late Black Sabbath singer following a worldwide outpouring of grief after his death last week, aged 76.
The self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness – hailed as the founder of heavy metal – was born just a mile away in Marston Green.
Ozzy, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease and lung condition emphysema, died surrounded by his family 17 days after giving a final performance at Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park.
His funeral on Wednesday is set to bring the city to a standstill.
A petition to re-name the airport after Ozzy, launched by podcast producer and fan Dan Hudson, has attracted 47,580 signatures – 10,000 in the past 24 hours.
It said: “Ozzy Osbourne was the most important musician ever to hail from Birmingham.
“He rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the pioneering rock band Black Sabbath who invented the genre of heavy metal.
“Ozzy’s influence on music and culture is undeniable. Naming our international airport after him would be a fitting tribute to his extraordinary career and contributions to the arts.
“Other airports in the UK are named after their famous children (George Best International Airport in Belfast, John Lennon Airport in Liverpool) so it is only right that we do this here in Birmingham in honour of Ozzy.
“Together we can celebrate the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne and the incredible influence our city has had on the world stage, thanks to him.”
Fans who signed the online call-for-action left hundreds of emotional messages in honour of the star who famously once bit the head off a live bat thrown on stage at a concert.
Angelina wrote: “Ozzy Osbourne’s music saved my life. He was truly a living legend. Naming Birmingham Airport after him would be huge and the best nod to him possible.”
Harry said: “Underneath his wild, crazy behaviour, and Prince of Darkness persona, he possessed such a huge loving heart and was first and foremost a devoted family man.
“A true working class hero who never forgot his roots and remained a proud Brummie throughout his life. I think renaming Birmingham Airport would be a marvellous way to honour Ozzy. Legends never die. “
Dominic added: “Seeing this fulfilled would be incredible and a testament to the power, influence, capabilities and spirit of one Ozzy Osbourne.”
While Raven said: “Ozzy Osbourne was an amazing man who changed the lives of millions of those who listen to his music.
“Renaming Birmingham International to Ozzy Osbourne International would be an honourable way to show the legacy of him and Black Sabbath.”
Airport bosses said they are discussing how to honour the star, including putting artwork in its terminals.
An airport spokesman said: “Ozzy Osbourne is an inspiration to so many in our region, proving that talent, hard work and commitment can take you to all corners of the world.
“In the coming weeks, we will be looking at how we can celebrate his heritage and contribution to the region via terminal artwork, creating a greater sense of place for Birmingham and his fans.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
