A Book of Condolence has been opened at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG) as fans leave tributes to heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne – who died yesterday aged 76.🔗 – at locations throughout the city.
Floral tributes and messages have popped up at locations such as Black Sabbath Bridge on Broad Street and the new Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street close to New Street Station. Flowers have even been lain at the feet of Ozzy the bull in New Street station. The beloved mechanical bull who starred in the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games hosted by Birmingham in 2022 was named in honour of Osbourne.
Now Birmingham City Council has launched a Book of Condolence at BMAG in Chamberlain Square where an exhibition, celebrating the solo achievements and global awards of the rock icon and the album art of the original Black Sabbath line-up, opened at the museum on Wednesday 25 June to coincide with the historic homecoming concert at Villa Park on Saturday 5 July.
The free exhibition, Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero, showcases Ozzy’s most prestigious international honours – including Grammy Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame accolades, MTV awards, Hollywood Walk of Fame and Birmingham Walk of Stars honours and a selection of his platinum and gold discs which recognise millions of record sales around the world, alongside photography and video that charts his journey from “a working-class kid from Aston” to becoming the world’s most recognisable global rock legend.
Along with the other founding members of Black Sabbath, Ozzy was awarded the Freedom of the City of Birmingham at a ceremony in the Council House on Saturday 28 June.
This honour recognises Black Sabbath’s significance to the cultural and musical identity of Birmingham, their strong association with the city and continued influence as pioneers of heavy metal in both Birmingham and beyond.
A statement from Zak Mensah and Sara Wajid, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “We are shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne less than three weeks after he played at Villa Park on 5 July, when he and Black Sabbath said their last goodbye to the stage. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
“We know that many fans will want to pay tribute to him and we are honoured to be hosting a book of condolence at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, alongside the current exhibition showcasing his solo achievements and global awards.
“While this is a sad time, we want to continue to celebrate Ozzy, his legacy and what he means to the city and beyond.”
Information:
- The Ozzy Osbourne Book of Condolence can be found in The Round Room at BMAG.
- Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero exhibition runs until 28th September 2025.
- BMAG is located in Chamberlain Square B3 3DH and is open between 10am and 5pm Wednesdays to Sundays.
- Entry into BMAG is FREE.