Ozzy Osbourne plans to “Crawl” back to Birmingham for BLACK SABBATH bench!
Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness himself, has set his sights on a local landmark – the world-famous BLACK SABBATH Bench!
In a new video interview with his wife Sharon, Ozzy declared his unwavering determination to visit the Broad Street bench dedicated to his legendary band, BLACK SABBATH. Sharon, ever the supportive spouse, even sent the exclusive video as a “thank you” gift to Mike Olley, the mastermind behind the bench’s creation and upkeep.
Now, Ozzy‘s dedication might surprise some. He jokingly declared he’d come see the bench “even if I have to crawl there!” This lighthearted quip hints at Ozzy Osbourne‘s Birmingham roots and his enduring affection for his hometown. The video even features Ozzy reminiscing about his childhood days, remembering how he used to “mind cars for tips” during Aston Villa’s home games.
In the video, Sharon asks Ozzy how he feels about the BLACK SABBATH Bench in Birmingham. Ozzy‘s answer is both thoughtful and clear: “It’s an achievement,” he beams. “I mean, Black Sabbath, we all came from Birmingham, Aston precisely. I don’t know how to thank you all enough.”
Sharon, ever the curious interviewer, presses on: “Did you ever think, at any time, that in your home town there would be a bench with huge, huge pictures of Black Sabbath on?” Settled comfortably in his chair, Ozzy chuckles. “Never, never,” he replies. “I mean it’s fantastic!”
Sharon‘s fondness for the bench is evident as she describes its popularity: “It’s become a tourist attraction, because people go and sit and have their picture taken with whichever member of Black Sabbath they want.” Ozzy, genuinely excited, chimes in: “Wow! That’s really cool, that’s really cool.”
The conversation then shifts to Ozzy‘s Birmingham memories. Taking a moment to reflect, he shares: “Well, I didn’t go to Birmingham city center much as a kid, or it was on special occasions. I remember being in Aston more. I remember when there was football matches on at the Villa. I used to mind cars and get a tip at the end of it.”
“I remember my father coming out the pub and singing on the bus,” he continues. “The thing about Aston, a lot of things have changed about it. My house in Lodge Road is still there and I used to go up there all the time when I had chance. I showed you out there …”
Sharon jumps in to add: “Yes, we’ve been to the house. The kids have been to the house.”
Ozzy nods: “There are fond memories and a lot of sad memories as well. People like my friend Patrick Murphy.” A somber pause hangs in the air before Sharon gently prompts him: “No longer with you.” Ozzy adds softly, “A dear friend of mine.”
The interview shifts gears as Sharon asks about Ozzy‘s plans for visiting the bench. “When are you going to go up and see it?” she inquires. Ozzy‘s determination is clear: “When I go up and see the Bull!”
“We’re going to go and make a day of it, right?” Sharon suggests. “Absolutely,” agrees Ozzy. “A couple of days. There’s some nice boutique hotels there.” He adds with a glint in his eye, “having a beer.”
Sharon lets out a laugh: “Oh the beer!” she exclaims. “You aren’t having any beer, Ozzy, no beer at all! Water for you! So when do you think you’re going to be there?”
With a playful seriousness, Ozzy declares: “If I have to crawl, I’m going to be there. I’ll be coming up very soon.”
Sharon wraps up the interview by expressing their gratitude: “And we want to thank Mike Olley for making it happen.” Ozzy chimes in: “Thank you, Mike. Thank you so much. What can I say. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Mike Olley, upon receiving the video, is clearly touched. “What a fantastic gesture from Ozzy and Sharon,” he remarks. “We were thrilled to receive it and are now pleased to be sending it out to the world to see. Ozzy‘s memory and responses about Aston seem crystal clear, and it was great to see his obvious love of the bench.”
The three-minute video is a must-watch for any BLACK SABBATH fan. It’s a heartwarming glimpse into Ozzy Osbournes‘ personality, showcasing his playful spirit and his undeniable love for Birmingham. While we wait to see if Ozzy fulfills his promise of a grand crawl (hopefully not!), you can check out the video below and get ready to celebrate the legendary rocker’s homecoming!