In the wake of Ozzy Osbourne‘s passing on Tuesday, July 22, fans are rallying behind a grassroots campaign to immortalize the heavy metal icon in his hometown of Birmingham, UK. A petition launched on Change.org is calling for Birmingham International Airport to be renamed in honor of the legendary frontman — proposing it become Ozzy Osbourne International Airport.
The campaign was started by Dan Hudson, co-host of the podcast A Gay And A Nongay and a dedicated metalhead. Hudson‘s petition aims to pay tribute to Osbourne‘s towering legacy and his deep-rooted connection to Birmingham, where he grew up in the Aston neighborhood and co-founded Black Sabbath.
Sign the petition here, which as of me writing this is closing in on 5,000 signatures (and rapidly rising).
“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,” wrote Hudson. “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.”
And if you’re wondering what the best comment on the petition is, it’s this person: “i’m not even british but yall better make this happen.” Right on.
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