OZZY OSBOURNE Backed By Sons In Bid For Hometown Honor

August 16, 2003

Ozzy Osbourne's two sons are backing a campaign to give the veteran Birmingham rock star the freedom of the city, according to ICBirmingham.co.uk.

Jack and dance DJ Louis said their 54-year-old dad would be pleased to accept the honor.

"I think it's a great idea to give him the freedom of the city," said 17-year-old Jack. "When my dad heard about the campaign he was pretty excited about it.

"I've visited Birmingham and seen where he used to live and my mum and I are now looking forward to returning to the city when dad plays at the NEC next month."

Louis, Ozzy's son from his first marriage, added: "Ozzy will be honored if he gets the freedom of the city. It's great news.

"It's especially important to him because it is his roots, and, no matter where he lives, Birmingham is where he is from and that means a great deal to him."

Ozzy, whose real name is John Michael Osbourne, was born in Lodge Road, Aston.

He left school at 15 with no qualifications and tried a variety of jobs including car horn tester and slaughterhouse worker before turning to music.

Jack has become a celebrity through his appearances in the TV fly on the wall show "The Osbournes".

Louis, aged 27, grew up in Harborne with Ozzy's first wife Thelma and sister Jessica. He now lives in Dublin and keeps in touch with his dad but stays out of the limelight.

The freedom of the city campaigns are being led by BRMB Radio presenter Elliott Webb and Birmingham city councillor Tony Kennedy (Lab, Aston).

Webb has organised petitions which listeners to his morning programme have been urged to sign.

He said: "We've sent out hundreds of petitions and we're expecting them to be returned signed by listeners and their friends. We're hoping for thousands of signatures.

"We want to get Ozzy the freedom of the city or at least some recognition of his achievements. He's probably the best known Brummie in the world at the moment."

Meanwhile, Jack Osbourne confirmed that his sister Kelly will not be performing with Ozzy at his NEC shows on September 6 and 7.

He said she had pulled out of the support slot because she has food poisoning.

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