Ozzy again

As part of my Birthday this year T took me to see the Ozzy exhibition in Birmingham. It was interesting and I enjoyed it but it was lacking. Black Sabbath was barely mentioned which is a travesty! This is where he cut his rock n roll teeth, this was the band that made his name. It was only mentioned in passing I felt, it far more covered his career as a solo artist ,which of course he wasn't as he had to have a band with him! Also, there was a room where various Ozzy videos were played......at a very low volume so it didn't upset the neighbours. What was that a about! What would Ozzy have said about his music being played quietly? There'd be f's and blinds all over the place! It should have been much louder. Its Ozzy fans who are going to see the exhibition so I'm sure they would have approved. I was pretty much ambivalent to the death of Ozzy even though I was a fan but I found myself strangely moved by this exhibition. He was a lunatic but obviously loved his family, his second family anyway. Then there's the on going saga of fans trying to get Birmingham airport re named Ozzy Osbourne airport. Even as a fan I think its bloody ridiculous! He was a drunk , a rabid drug taker and lived a life , at one time anyway, of being arrested for various drug related misdemeanours. Is this really someone an airport should be named after? As the CEO of Birmingham Airport said, they have plenty of luminaries to choose from! Well that's all I have to say. Gone but certainly not forgotten.

Together we stand by James Holland

A breif review I posted on Goodreads on another excellent book from James Holland. He covers the campaign in North Africa 1942-3. As with any book I’ve read by James Holland it scores a very solid 5 stars. He just packs his books with so much information. He uses a ‘cast’ of characters, some he’s interviewed himself, and interweaves with the bigger picture. The political ramifications and how the chain of command fight it out are also well covered. Noting the frequent fighting amongst themselves as well! He explains vividly the brutality of the conflict, there’s no glorifying it, he states it for what it is. This is a brilliant book. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2858528-together-we-stand