Ozzy Osbourne ‘very proud’ as Birmingham to honour Black Sabbath

Being awarded the Freedom of Birmingham “means loads” to Ozzy Osbourne and the members of Black Sabbath, Sharon Osbourne has stated, as town council prepares to approve the honour.

Ozzy, alongside the founding band members, Tony Iommi, Terence Butler and Invoice Ward, might be given the honorary title in recognition of their service to town, with councillors anticipated to offer the go forward on Tuesday.

The council can also be set to approve the posthumous award of the Metropolis of Birmingham Medal to the late poet, Benjamin Zephaniah, for his “distinctive and distinguished contribution” to the sphere of literature and for his charitable and group work.

Sharon Osbourne stated her husband was “very proud” to obtain the honour. “It means loads to him, it actually does, to be recognised from his residence. He’s very excited,” she instructed BBC Radio West Midlands. “He couldn’t fairly imagine it, he thought I used to be winding him up. He stated: ‘Actually, me? However I’ve been in jail!’.”

In a press release, Ozzy Osbourne stated he was “honoured and shocked” to obtain the honour. “I’m a proud Brummie from Aston by and thru. I’m nonetheless amazed to today that nobody exterior of Birmingham can perceive a phrase I say, however that’s all the time made me giggle,” he stated. “My solely remorse is that my mother and pop will not be right here to see what I turned. Birmingham for ever!”

Black Sabbath, which have bought greater than 75m albums worldwide, have been fashioned in 1968 in Aston, Birmingham and are thought-about one of the vital profitable heavy steel bands of all time.

The band have a bench of their honour within the centre of Birmingham. A big mechanical bull from 2022 Commonwealth Video games, on show in New Avenue station, was named Ozzy after a public vote.

Sharon added her husband was “dying to return residence” from the US and reside in Birmingham, however well being setbacks meant that plans to take action had fallen by.

“He actually, actually needs to return residence and that’s what been a bit powerful, as a result of every time he’s made preparations to return, one thing occurs,” she stated. “We’re not residence right here. It’s not the place we’re from, it’s not what we’re. Folks right here have been improbable to Ozzy, however it’s not his residence.”

She stated they have been donating Ozzy’s awards and platinum discs to a museum in Birmingham: “It belongs in Birmingham, it wants to remain in Birmingham,” she stated. “He owes a lot to Birmingham, it’s his blood, that’s who he’s.. If he’d have been was born wherever else, he wouldn’t be the story that it’s immediately, so he completely embraces his historical past and what Birmingham means to him.”

The Crown pub, the place Black Sabbath performed their first gig, was given listed standing final yr after falling into disrepair lately, and there have been requires a everlasting museum commemorating heavy steel music within the area.