14 DAY TRIAL // Let it not be said that music fans are mindless sheep that can only follow and not lead the initiative. In fact, when they put their mind together, they can come up with some impressive ideas and even more surprising results. Ozzy Osbourne can testify to that.
In an odd bit of news, several of his fans have drawn up a petition in which they demand that he be given the proper acknowledgement for his contribution to music based on his 40 years in the field and be made a Knight.
The initiator of the petition is Helen Maidiotis, a 45-year-old heavy metal devotee, who has already found over 10,000 like-minded people who have added their names to the project, despite the fact that the original goal was just 5,000 signatures.
The petition reads: “I am petitioning for Ozzy Osbourne, frontman for Black Sabbath to receive a Knighthood after over 40 years of service to the music industry. Birmingham born John Michael Osbourne, has been entertaining and inspiring a great many throughout his life, he has been a huge success world wide with many successful albums with both Black Sabbath as well as in his solo career.”
“Now in his mid 60′s, I believe the time has come for him to receive a Knighthood. Please consider Mr Osbourne for this honour as it is well deserved and long over due,” it adds.
The initiator of the campaign has also launched a website to support the cause that got the catchy name “The Knighthood of Ozz,” and which has also received the backing of his daughter Kelly Osbourne and Ozzy's former guitarist, Bernie Torme.
Local media has reported that there has already been some positive response from Buckingham Palace, the place where the decision on who exactly is getting knighted gets taken.
“Our campaign has reached Buckingham Palace, as a friend of mine had sent off letters explaining about our battle for Ozzy’s knighthood – and they have replied positively,” Maidiotis told the local press.
Ozzy Osbourne has been a very successful musician, both with his band Black Sabbath, as well as in his solo career. Back in the `70s, when he was part of Black Sabbath, he pioneered a dark and heavy sound that has been picked up by many musicians after him and is considered a key development in the heavy metal genre as a whole.
The band's comeback album last year, “13,” soared to the top of the charts, illustrating its timeless success.