December 28, 2012 14:21
Call to name Birmingham Airport after Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath Tickets
Former Black Sabbath label boss reveals plan to honour local hero
Photo: PA
Birmingham Airport could soon be renamed after Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne.
The plan has been dreamed up by Jim Simpson, boss of Big Bear Music, who first signed Black Sabbath in the 1970s. He has spoken about renaming the cities airport after Ozzy following a plan to stage an Black Sabbath day in the city fell through. Speaking to the Birmingham Mail about why he wants to rename the airport, Simpson said: "I believe that there is a masterstroke that would instantly confound the cynics. Just re-name our airport. How does The Ozzy Osbourne International Airport resonate? The message that would carry is instantly international, confident, powerful, unforgettable and says ‘Hey World, we are proud of our own’. Ozzy might not always have been a paragon of virtue, but he is a genuine flesh and blood Brummie."
Should the airport name be changed, there will be inevitable comparisons to Liverpool who named their airport after John Lennon. However, Simpson has an answer to any accusations of copying:
Before anyone launches into a “Liverpool got there first with a John Lennon Airport” retort we should remember that their airport is distinctly unimpressive, provincial and bears no comparison with ours.
Meanwhile, Birmingham councillor Phillip Parkin is receptive to the plan, telling the newspaper: "It’s an interesting idea and I’ve got an open mind but I think something like that would need to be consulted on fairly widely because it’s a significant part of our infrastructure."
Black Sabbath are set for a big year in 2013 with the band finishing work on a new studio album. Earlier this year Ozzy Osbourne revealed he has written 15 songs for the album, due for release in April.
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| Date/Time | Venue | Town/City | Seetickets | Viagogo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 10, 2013 | The O2 Arena | London | Tickets not currently available. |
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| Dec 12, 2013 | Odyssey | Belfast | Tickets not currently available. |
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| Dec 14, 2013 | Motorpoint Arena Sheffield | Sheffield | Tickets not currently available. |
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| Dec 16, 2013 | Hydro | Glasgow | Tickets not currently available. |
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| Dec 18, 2013 | Manchester Arena | Manchester | Tickets not currently available. |
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| Dec 20, 2013 | Lg Arena | Birmingham | Tickets not currently available. |
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| Dec 22, 2013 | Lg Arena | Birmingham | Tickets not currently available. |
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| Date/Time | Venue | Town/City | Seetickets | Viagogo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Dec 2013 | The O2 Arena | London | Tickets not currently available. |
Buy Black Sabbath Tickets |
| 12 Dec 2013 | Odyssey | Belfast | Tickets not currently available. |
Buy Black Sabbath Tickets |
| 14 Dec 2013 | Motorpoint Arena Sheffield | Sheffield | Tickets not currently available. |
Buy Black Sabbath Tickets |
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