Ozzy Osbourne’s sisters break silence following singer’s death as pair issue statement: ‘Can’t believe he’s gone’
Ozzy Osbourne’s two older sisters have broken their silence on the death of their Black Sabbath star brother.
The singer died on Tuesday unexpectedly but surrounded by his family, a statement confirmed.
Osbourne, whose birth name was John Michael Osbourne, was the fourth of six siblings, with his sisters and a younger brother remaining.
The last time sisters Jean Powell, 85 and Gillian Hemming, 80, saw Osbourne was during his farewell concert at Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham, earlier this month.
“We saw him in Birmingham the other week when he and the rest of the band were given the freedom of the city,” Powell recalled.
“It was upsetting because he could not stand up straight, but he was still our John, still cracking the jokes.
“To us, he was our brother, not a celebrity, so it’s crazy to see the outpouring of love since his death was announced.
“We just can’t believe he is gone, and we won’t be getting another phone call or text from him.
“Every week without fail, he would get in touch, either by phone or text, to ask how we were all doing and what was going on.
“Of the six siblings, there are only three of us left now – me, Gillian, and our brother Paul.”
She went on to describe her brother as “frail,” but admitted the news was still “a shock”.
Speaking to The Mirror, she added: “We don’t know the details of his death, it’s still too early. It’s just so sad. I’m just thankful he died in England.”
Hemming added: “We were proud as punch about him and everything he achieved. But it never went to his head.
“What the public saw of John was exactly what he was like in real life. It wasn’t an act.”
The public’s love for Osbourne is evident not only through the outpouring of tributes but petitions that have been launched in his name.
Some fans have called for the heavy metal star to be memorialised through Birmingham Airport by renaming it Ozzy Osbourne International.
Change.org petition organiser Dan Hudson argued that the city’s airport should follow the example of John Lennon Airport in Liverpool.
“Ozzy’s influence on music and culture is undeniable. Naming our international airport after him would be a fitting tribute to his extraordinary career and contributions to the arts,” he wrote.
“Other airports in the UK are named after their famous children (George Best International Airport in Belfast, John Lennon Airport in Liverpool), so it is only right that we do this here in Birmingham, in honour of Ozzy.”
Hudson’s petition isn’t the only one that has come about since news of The Prince of Darkness’ death was announced.
Others have called for the main stage at Download Festival to be named after Osbourne, with another arguing a statue of the Black Sabbath star should be placed near Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
There are even calls for Osbourne to be given a state funeral and for there to be a national day of mourning.