FIVE FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM BIRMINGHAM

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Here is my list of five famous Brummies, who have contributed to Birmingham in industry, engineering and the arts.

5 – Matthew Boulton

Not many people know this but Matthew Boulton appears on the current British 50 pound note. He is on there with his business partner James Watt.

Matthew Boulton was not a one trick pony. As an already established and highly successful manufacturer he became partners with genius engineer James Watt and together created and manufactured Boulton & Watt steam engines. These state of the art engines help mechanise factories, mines and mills and catapulted the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.

Matthew Boulton also founded the Soho Mint and then after several years started to produce the British penny, which was in production until 1971 when decimalisation ended its requirement.

Matthew Boulton invented sick pay. In the 1770’s he established an insurance system that would compensate workers if they were injured or sick.

There is a college in Birmingham City centre established in 1957 called Matthew Boulton college in honour of his achievements and contributions to industry and Birmingham City.

4 – John Michael Osbourne

John Michael Osbourne better known as Ozzy Osbourne is the lead singer of Birmingham based heavy metal band Black Sabbath.

Black Sabbath was formed in 1969 and went on to reach quadruple platinum across the globe. Ozzy later split from the band and had major success in his solo career.

Ozzy Osbourne is married to his manager X-Factor star Sharon Osbourne. Ozzy and Sharon first met in the late 70’s when he was signed to her father’s record label where she was working as a receptionist.

Ozzy and Sharon also starred in hit reality TV show “The Osbournes” in 2002. It is acclaimed as the most watched series on MTV ever!

Ozzy Osbourne lives with his wife and family in Los Angeles, America. Ozzy returned to Birmingham in 2017 to perform at the Genting Arena for the last ever Black Sabbath farewell performance.

3 – George Cadbury

George Cadbury along with his brother Richard was the founder of Cadbury’s chocolate here in Birmingham in 1879.

He was a devout Quaker who established the world famous Cadbury’s chocolate factory in Bournville, Birmingham. Cadbury’s factory is still making and distributing chocolate world Wide today.

George Cadbury and his brother were concerned for the health and well being of their employees and so built up the Town of Bournville and provided affordable housing with yards and gardens for the workers to occupy.

Later on George Cadbury would establish education resources for Cadbury’s employees.

George Cadbury is famous for donating the Lickey Hills Country park to the people of Birmingham. There is a plaque dedicated to him at the Beacon Hill Toposcope on Monument lane.

He also donated his large Northfield based house to the Birmingham Cripples Union. This house is now known as The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.

2 – Ali Campbell

Ali Campbell is the lead singer and one of the founding members of Birmingham reggae band UB40.

The band was so named as UB40 was the name of the unemployment benefit form that unemployed people had to fill out in order to receive the dole from the government. Each member of the band were unemployed at the time so it was a tongue in cheek pun.

Ali Campbell helped to get the band started by paying for the musicians instruments after he received a large sum in compensation for an assault he was involved with. UB40 formed and went on to sell over 70 million records world wide with hits such as Red Red Wine, Can’t Help Falling In Love and cover song Kingston Town.

Ali Campbell left the band in January 2008 to pursue other projects.

1 – Jasper Carrott

Jasper Carrott is a singer, musician, comedian and actor born and raised in Acocks Green Birmingham.

He fame began when he formed a folk club with fellow friend Les Ward. There he would host folk singers and brand new acts in the Solihull folk scene. He would MC between acts and perform his own songs. His comedy between songs gained popularity and he then got a manager and toured the UK as a singer/comedian.

Then in 1975, Jasper Carrott broke into television by appearing on the BBC in a football based programme called “The Golden Game.” He eventually got his own show in 1976 called “A Half Hour Mislaid with Jasper Carrott.” His popularity amassed so much that by 1980, Jasper was one of the best live stand-up performances of the time.

Jasper’s talents did not stop there. Jasper moved into acting and was cast with co-star Robert Powell in hit BBC television series called “The Detectives” in 1993 and ran for 4 years.

Jasper Carrott is an avid Birmingham City Football Club supporter and was a director of the club.

He was also co-owner of production company Celador which was famous for bringing TV shows like “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and “Golden Balls” to ITV.

Jasper Carrott is the father of “The Office” star and actress Lucy Davis (Dawn Tinsley).