Birmingham’s favourite bat-biting son, Ozzy Osbourne, might be gone, but the metal community isn’t about to let his legacy fade into the Brummie fog. Nope — we’re talking proper tributes here. None of this “small plaque at the bus stop” nonsense.
On Change.org, two petitions have taken flight faster than a bat at a Sabbath gig:
1️⃣ Rename Birmingham Airport to Ozzy Osbourne International – Because nothing says “Welcome to Birmingham” like landing in the city where the Prince of Darkness was forged in the fires of heavy metal. This one’s already soaring with over 66,000 signatures. Imagine hearing, “This is your captain speaking — we’ll be touching down at Ozzy Osbourne International in 20 minutes. Please fasten your seatbelts and prepare for total rock ‘n’ roll.” Tidy.
2️⃣ Erect an Ozzy Osbourne Statue Near Birmingham Children’s Hospital – A nod to Ozzy’s softer side (yes, he has one), this tribute would stand as a beacon of hope and headbanging right by a place that helps kids fight their toughest battles. Currently sitting at just under 1,400 signatures, it needs a massive push from the metal army to catch up with the airport renaming hype.
Both petitions are part of the wider RIP Ozzy Osbourne movement, aiming to immortalise the man who brought Brum to the world stage with riffs, chaos, and eyeliner that could cut glass.
💬 Our take?
Frankly, why stop at two tributes? Let’s rename the M6 as the “Crazy Train Expressway”, turn the Bullring’s bull into a giant metal bat, and make every Greggs in Birmingham play “Paranoid” on a loop.
Until then — sign the petitions, spread the word, and keep Ozzy’s memory louder than ever. \m/
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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