This week marks a poignant milestone for Birmingham and the global music community, as it would have been the 77th birthday of the city's most famous rock son, Ozzy Osbourne.
A Birthday Tribute in His Hometown
While the first birthday since his passing will be a challenging occasion for his loved ones, members of the Osbourne family are making a special journey back to Birmingham to mark it. They will be in the city on Wednesday, December 3 – Ozzy's birthday – to receive a posthumous civic honour on his behalf.
The family, whose specific attendees have not been publicly named, will be presented with the Lord Mayor's Award, one of Birmingham's highest civic honours. They will also receive the Books of Condolence that have been signed by thousands of mourners.
The Lord Mayor, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE, will present the Books of Condolence, while The Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Ken Wood, will bestow the award. Councillor Iqbal was present in July for Ozzy's funeral procession along Broad Street to the now-iconic Black Sabbath Bridge, which was adorned with floral tributes from locals and international fans alike.
Honouring a Working Class Hero
The Lord Mayor's Award celebrates outstanding achievement or exceptional service to Birmingham and its people. For Ozzy, born and raised in Aston, it recognises his immense impact on the city's cultural and musical identity.
His legendary 56-year career saw him sell over 100 million records worldwide and earn a double induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His final performance took place at Villa Park Stadium on July 4, 2025. His death just over two weeks later, on July 22, prompted an enormous wave of grief and pilgrimage to his hometown.
The public's enduring affection has been powerfully demonstrated at the Working Class Hero exhibit at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Since his passing, a remarkable 400,000 people have queued to visit the display and sign the Book of Condolence.
A Family's Gratitude and a City's Pride
In a statement, the Osbourne family expressed their deep emotion at the recognition. "We are deeply touched to receive this award in honour of Ozzy," they said. "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 and fans across the world. I would like to thank the Lord Mayor for this special recognition."
Lord Mayor Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE paid his own heartfelt tribute: "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!"
The award adds to Ozzy's permanent legacy in the city. His Freedom of the City of Birmingham artifact, added posthumously to the museum exhibit, remains on view for the public, ensuring that the Prince of Darkness's memory continues to loom large in the place where it all began.
