Ozzy vs. UB40

Some local politicians know nothing about music, if the reactions to a proposal to give Ozzy Osborne the freedom of Birmingham are anything to go by.

One councillor, John Hemmingway, told reporters: "Frankly the idea of Osbourne as a role model is laughable. If we want to give the honour to musicians, UB40 would be a far better vote."

I find it sad that heavy metal has never been accepted as a valid part of rock music in Britain, perhaps a reason why bands like Black Sabbath have never had the recognition they deserve in their own country. And heavy metal was very much Birmingham's contribution to music. ELO? How many bands can you name that cite ELO as major influence? Black Sabbath more or less invented heavy metal as we know it today, and their influence goes far beyond the metal scene. Without them, I can't imagine punk sounding the way it did.

What are UB40 in comparison, apart from being politically-correct reggae-lite? If you want to honour reggae bands from Birmingham, there are plenty of far better bands to choose from. UB40 are nothing but commercial pop fluff; most of their hits were covers anyway.

Face it, Cllr John Hemmingway, Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward are to Birmingham what Paul, John, George and Ringo were to Liverpool. If Liverpool can have the John Lennon International Airport, then Birmingham should have the Tony Iommi International Airport.