Plan To Honor OZZY OSBOURNE Splits His Childhood Community

July 25, 2003

A plan to give Ozzy Osbourne the freedom of his Birmingham birthplace has split the community where he once lived, according to icBirmingham.co.uk.

Coun Tony Kennedy (Lab, Aston) is leading a crusade to honor the bat-eating rocker in Aston where he was born and bred.

But Coun Ayoub Khan (Lib-Dem, Aston) said: "This would send out completely the wrong message to our young people. Ozzy Osbourne is certainly no role model for them.

"For an area which is openly against drugs how could we promote someone like this? Just because he came from Aston and is now a multi-millionaire doesn't mean he should be favored in this way."

But Coun Kennedy said: "It is well known that Ozzy has overcome his drug problem and has changed his life. Surely that should be an inspiration to many people?

"Young people have come to me asking if we could honor Ozzy in some way so I intend to write to the Lord Mayor to discuss the civic protocol."

But community leaders at Aston's ward meeting said someone who had gained a reputation for biting the heads off live bats was totally unsuitable as a role model.

Ozzy, who was born in Lodge Road, is due to perform in Birmingham in September.

One of six children, he was born John Michael Osbourne who left school at 15 with no qualifications.

He once spent six weeks in Winson Green Prison and tried a variety of jobs including car horn tester and slaughterhouse worker before turning to music.

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