Ozzy Osbourne is no stranger to success. As the lead vocalist for Black Sabbath in the early 1970s, Ozzy helped pioneer a dark and heavy sound that has been cited as a key to the development of the heavy metal genre, and just as remarkable has been his solo career, which has featured 11 albums, the first seven of which went multiplatinum.
Now, fans are showing their appreciation back—with a petition for Ozzy’s knighthood.
The effort, spearheaded by 45-year-old heavy metal devotee Helen Maidiotis, has already attracted over 10,000 signatures, doubling the original goal of 5,000 signatures and a little over halfway to the new goal of 20,000 set on Causes.com. To Maidiotis, the reasoning is simple.
She writes on the website, “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.”
She even has a Facebook site called “The Knighthood of Ozz,” which has been backed by Ozzy’s daughter Kelly and Ozzy’s former guitarist Bernie Torme. Kelly tweeted “this really needs to happen.”
Maidiotis said to Birmingham Mail in the United Kingdom that “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.
“As Black Sabbath are set to perform at Hyde Park, London, on July 4, It would be a fitting tribute to Ozzy if we were to reach our target in the days following their performance.”
The band released a comeback album last year titled 13 that soared to the top of charts in both the U.K. and the United States. They’ve been performing to sell-out crowds after reuniting for their first concert at the O2 Academy in Birmingham.
Image via Wikimedia Commons
