How a magician made a throne for Ozzy Osbourne

When Ozzy Osbourne was looking for a dramatic stage prop for his tour in the 1980s, his team turned to an unlikely source - a veteran American magician.

The throne was refurbished from a prop first created for an ice-skating show, before going on to feature during the Birmingham rock legend's Diary of a Madman tour in 1982.

It also would appear on the artwork for the Speak of the Devil live album.

The throne was the work of Charles "Kirk" Kirkham, a California-based performer and magic prop builder who spent decades designing stage effects for magicians, television productions and live shows.

But more than 40 years later, his son Richard has spoken of how the family refurbished the throne for Ozzy, tested the illusion themselves and watched as it became part of a small chapter of heavy metal history.

The 68-year-old, who lives in Texas, said the throne was designed so Ozzy could remain hidden before appearing through clouds of smoke.

"I only know that he received a phone call and a visit from someone affiliated with the Ozzy team," Kirkham said of how the collaboration came about.

"I suspect somebody had recommended my father to them when they asked who could build them something practical [and] quickly.

"As a matter of fact, I ended up being the main test subject [for the throne].

"I sat in the chair when we made size adjustments and tested out the new hardware that made the gimmick work."

Rather than designing a new illusion from scratch, the throne was taken out of storage after its time on tour with a travelling ice-skating show, before being extensively refurbished.

Kirkham said the exterior had to be refreshed after years of use, while the armrests were altered so it could comfortably accommodate Ozzy.

"We originally built it to use in the Ice Capade show in 1976," he said. "That show toured for several years using the prop on a regular basis.

"It was a large chair that contained a smaller foundational structure inside of it that the performer is seated in, as the rest of the throne can be displayed as appearing empty.

"There was a smoke pot at the front base that was set off electronically when it was time for Ozzy to appear.

"My brother and I enjoyed telling our friends about it, but we were never able to wrangle any tickets for the show because of the connection."

Although the family never saw the throne used live in person, they watched footage on US TV Entertainment Tonight, Kirkham said.

His dad, who died in 2001 aged 75, continued making magic illusions throughout his career, with many later finding homes in museums and private collections.

"I grew up surrounded by these props and shows," he added. "As a child I was a part of the show as an assistant and performer in some of the illusions.

"I helped my father in the manufacturing business as needed, although I was not a craftsman, I was usually a set of extra hands."

Looking back, Kirkham said his father had little idea the throne would become associated with one of rock music's biggest names.

"He had heard of Ozzy, but he was not very knowledgeable about the show or the music," he said.

"My younger brother was a fan and provided some feedback about the themes and style of both Black Sabbath and Ozzy himself.

"But dad basically thought the rock shows were big horror shows with rock music!"

A separate throne used by Ozzy Osbourne during his final live performance went on public display in Birmingham on Wednesday as fans prepare to mark the first anniversary of the rock legend's death.

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