Birmingham Airport has confirmed plans to celebrate Ozzy Osbourne following the launch of a petition to change the name of BHX in his honour.
Ozzy died at the age of 76 on Tuesday, July 22, only weeks after he fronted the farewell concert for Black Sabbath at the ‘Back to the Beginning‘ concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park.
Following the singer’s death, a number of petitions were launched to memorialise the Prince of Darkness, including petitions to have a national day of mourning and a statue outside of Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Birmingham International Airport.
However, the most popular petition was launched by Ozzy fan, Dan Hudson, who asked Birmingham Airport to change its name to Ozzy Osbourne International.
The petition read: “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, which invented the genre of heavy metal.
“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.”
Ozzy Osbourne fronted Black Sabbath
The petition has so far received more than 43,000 signatures, with Birmingham Airport officials now confirming that they are planning to honour the Birmingham rock legend’s impact, however, through the erection of artwork throughout its terminals.
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson 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.”
To sign the airport renaming petition, visit the Change.org website here.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital statue
Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Among the petitions to launch following the singer’s death was also one calling for the erection of a statue in the rock legend’s honour at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
The hospital was one of the beneficiaries of the £190 million that was raised by the Back to the Beginning concert, with other benefactors including Acorns Children’s Hospice and Cure Parkinson’s.
The petition for the statue, which was launched by another Sabbath fan, Rebecca Swan, has so far received 1,079 signatures, with Ms Swan saying that it would be an inspiration ‘not only for the people of Birmingham’ but also ‘the entire world’.
The Back to the Beginning concert raised £190 million for charity
The petition read: “We would like to start this petition for a statue of Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham near Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
“Ozzy has been an inspiration not only for the people of Birmingham but for the entire world. It would be wonderful to immortalise and celebrate his amazing musical legacy, but also his charitable contribution to BCH and other charities.”
To sign the statue petition, visit the Change.org website here.