Fans Urge Renaming Birmingham Airport and Download Festival Stage After Ozzy Osbourne

Fans call for Birmingham Airport and Download Festival stage to be renamed in honor of Ozzy Osbourne’s legendary impact on music and culture.

A Legendary Tribute for a Heavy Metal Icon

Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, left a colossal legacy.

Fans around the world have rallied to pay homage to the late Ozzy Osbourne by campaigning to rename Birmingham Airport and one of the stages at Download Festival after the iconic frontman. Known as the "Prince of Darkness," Ozzy shaped the sound of heavy metal and became a cultural phenomenon with his band Black Sabbath and his solo career.

The heavy metal pioneer passed away on July 22, 2025, at age 76, surrounded by love according to his family. Since then, tributes have poured in from fans and fellow artists alike, celebrating his monumental influence on music.

Why Rename Birmingham Airport?

A petition on Change.org, spearheaded by Dan Hudson, co-host of the A Gay And A Nongay podcast, calls for Birmingham International Airport to bear Osbourne’s name. Hudson emphasizes Ozzy as the most important musician ever to hail from Birmingham, highlighting his undeniable impact on music and culture.

“Naming our international airport after him would be a fitting tribute to his extraordinary career and contributions to the arts.” – Dan Hudson

A Resounding Call for Renaming Birmingham Airport in Honor of Ozzy Osbourne.

Hudson also points out that other UK airports celebrate their local legends, like George Best International Airport in Belfast and John Lennon Airport in Liverpool. He insists that Birmingham should honor Ozzy in a similar way.

The campaign has gathered impressive momentum with over 5,000 signatures within just two days. Fans express their enthusiasm:

• “Naming Birmingham Airport after him would be HUGE, and the best nod to him possible.”
• “It’s because of Ozzy Osbourne that a young kid from Boston knows a lot about Aston, Birmingham. Rename the airport because OZZY was an extraordinary figure and a good person.”

Learn more about the petition here.

Honoring Ozzy at Download Festival

Besides the airport, fans are also campaigning to rename one of the Download Festival stages to honor Ozzy. The festival, held at Donington Park, has a deep connection with Osbourne who performed there multiple times—both solo and with Black Sabbath.

• His first appearance was in 1984 at the legendary Monsters Of Rock festival, after launching his solo career.
• He hosted Ozzfest there as well.
• Ozzy performed with Black Sabbath during the 2012 and 2016 Download editions.
• His last appearance was a headlining solo show in 2018.

Fans took to social media expressing the necessity of naming a stage after him:

• “You know it makes sense, he has at the very least a stage named after him. If it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have the heavy metal that is so proudly displayed at your festival.”
• “He has inspired an entire generation—all the bands you have play at your festival have in some way been inspired by Black Sabbath and Ozzy.”
• “I was so grateful to see Sabbath at 2012 Download. Even more so now. It would be ridiculous not naming the stage in his honour next year.”
• “So we’re getting Osbourne stage next year then yeah?”

As of now, neither Download Festival nor Birmingham Airport has officially responded to these heartfelt calls.

Ozzy’s Final Curtain Call

Ozzy Osbourne’s death followed shortly after his last live performance at the Back To The Beginning show on July 5, 2025. This monumental event in Birmingham was his farewell both as a solo artist and with Black Sabbath. The concert featured legendary bands like Guns N’ Roses, KoRn, Tool, Slayer, Pantera, Metallica, Alice In Chains, Gojira, Anthrax, and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.

Watch an insightful interview with Black Sabbath members including Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler below:

Proceeds from this one-of-a-kind show were donated to Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acom Children’s Hospice.

Fans have also been eagerly anticipating the forthcoming concert film capturing this final show, set to hit cinemas in 2026, complete with backstage footage and interviews. Additionally, Ozzy’s final memoir, Last Rites, will be published posthumously later this year.

A Final Farewell and Legacy

Reports reveal that paramedics battled for two hours to save Ozzy on the day he passed. His sister Jean Powell reflected on the shock of his death despite knowing he was frail, saying he “still had plans and things he wanted to do.”

Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy is not just about his music but his huge influence on generations of musicians and fans. His spirit lives on through his timeless work and the ongoing tributes like these renaming campaigns.

“Ozzy’s influence on music and culture is undeniable.” – Dan Hudson

Conclusion

It’s clear that fans and the music community want to immortalize Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy in the heart of his hometown and at the festival that has celebrated his music for decades. Will Birmingham Airport and Download Festival heed the call and give him the tribute he truly deserves? What do you think would be the best way to honor the Prince of Darkness?

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the reason behind renaming Birmingham Airport after Ozzy Osbourne?
  Because Ozzy is one of Birmingham’s most influential cultural icons, renaming the airport would celebrate his contribution to music and the city’s heritage.
• Has the petition for renaming gained much support?
  Yes, it has gathered over 5,000 signatures in less than two days, showing strong public backing.
• Has Download Festival responded to calls for renaming a stage after Ozzy?
  As of now, the festival has not officially responded to these fan requests.
• What was Ozzy’s last live performance?
  His final show was Back To The Beginning in Birmingham on July 5, 2025, marking his farewell both as a solo artist and with Black Sabbath.
• Will there be any new releases related to Ozzy’s final performances?
  Yes, a concert film of the final Black Sabbath show is coming to cinemas in 2026, and Ozzy’s memoir Last Rites will be released posthumously later this year.

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