A petition has been gaining traction online calling for Birmingham Airport to be renamed Ozzy Osbourne International. An outpouring of emotion has taken over the city since the legendary metal singer’s passing on Tuesday (July 22), but this could be the greatest tribute yet.
So far, 14,347 people have signed the petition, which calls Ozzy “the most important musician ever to hail from Birmingham.” We’ve seen it happen with John Lennon in Liverpool and George Best in Belfast, while the world is full of eponymously named airports.
Of course, there are countless other candidates for a rename—Joseph Chamberlain, John Cadbury, J.R.R. Tolkien, to name three—but few have struck a chord with their fellow Brummies like Ozzy. Just check out the Black Sabbath Bridge on Broad Street or Ozzy the Bull in New Street Station.
“Naming our international airport after him would be a fitting tribute to his extraordinary career and contributions to the arts,” said Dan Hudson, Petition Starter. “Together, we can celebrate the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne and the incredible influence our city has had on the world stage, thanks to him.”
What has Birmingham Airport said?
Now, we don’t write about every petition out there, so we wouldn’t be writing about it unless there was something more to say. BHX has responded to calls to mark Ozzy’s legacy. Not by renaming itself, however, but with the addition of a new mural in its terminal.
Speaking to BirminghamLive, a spokesperson said, “Ozzy Osborne 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.”
Of course, this doesn’t rule anything out, and we imagine calls for a rename will only grow louder. To add your name to the petition, head here.