Ozzy's cultural impact to be celebrated with award

1 December 2025

Oprah FlashWest Midlands

The Lord Mayor's Award will be presented to Ozzy's family to celebrate his contributions to Birmingham

Reuters Ozzy Osbourne performs at the Hultsfred festival June 15, 2007. — The Lord Mayor's Award will be presented to Ozzy's family to celebrate his contributions to Birmingham

An award celebrating Ozzy Osbourne's impact on Birmingham's cultural and musical identity is to be given to his family.

The Lord Mayor's award, one of Birmingham's highest civic honours, will be presented posthumously on Wednesday - the day the rock legend would have been toasting his 77th birthday.

A book of condolence, which has been signed by fans from across the globe, will also be given to his family at the private ceremony.

"He was so loved by the people of Birmingham, so it is great to come back and see the impact he has had in his hometown and how he continues to inspire generations of Brummies", a spokesperson for the Osbournes said.

Fans flocked to the city in July to pay tribute to the rock legend, who died just 17 days after Black Sabbath played their homecoming final concert at Villa Park

PA Media Floral tributes left at the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Street in Birmingham in memory of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne — Fans flocked to the city in July to pay tribute to the rock legend, who died just 17 days after Black Sabbath played their homecoming final concert at Villa Park

Born and raised in Aston, Osbourne achieved global stardom and success, both as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Black Sabbath and later with a solo career that would eclipse the success the band enjoyed.

He died in July, aged 76, just 17 days after Sabbath's Back to the Beginning farewell show.

Thousands of fans turned out to cheer the coffin on Osbourne's final journey through his home city of Birmingham.

Nearly 400,000 visitors have seen the Working Class Hero exhibition in his honour at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery since July.

All four members of Sabbath were given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, in June this year

Birmingham City Council From left to right, Bill Ward, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne receive their scrolls. There is a council branded Black Sabbath board behind them in purple. They are sat in front of it on chairs. All are wearing black. Ozzy has his arms outstretched. — All four members of Sabbath were given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, in June this year

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE said: "Ozzy was and always will be a proud and much missed son of Birmingham.

"Having achieved worldwide success, he never forgot his Brummie roots, so I am honoured to present the award to his family in a fitting tribute of everything he has done for our city. Ozzy forever!"

His award comes after the four members of Sabbath - Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Terence "Geezer" Butler and Bill Ward - were given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, back in June.

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