A major new photography exhibition commemorating Ozzy Osbourne's final live performance is set to open at Grand Central in Birmingham, filling the long-vacant space left by the former John Lewis store. The free exhibition, titled Back to the Beginning - The Exhibition, will open on Friday, July 3, marking the first anniversary of the historic concert at Villa Park in July 2025.
World-First Exhibition Features Iconic Rock Photography
The exhibition spans 60 metres at Grand Central, above New Street Station, and showcases never-before-seen images from the epic gig by global rock photographers Mark ‘WEISSGUY’ Weiss and Ross Halfin. It includes stunning photographs of Ozzy Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, as well as other rock legends who performed at the concert.
Visitors can experience an 'ultimate rock selfie moment' with a huge 9m digital wallpaper graphic featuring most of the global superstars who took part in the concert. The line-up included Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Lamb of God, Halestorm, Mastodon, and Rival Sons, alongside supergroups featuring Tom Morello, Yungblud, Chad Smith, Jake E. Lee, Steven Tyler, Ronnie Wood, Billy Corgan, Travis Barker, Tobias Forge, Sammy Hagar, and many more.
Filling the Void at Grand Central
The exhibition occupies part of the space left empty since John Lewis closed in Grand Central six years ago. Bullring had previously announced plans for The Drum to transform the area with restaurants, bars, a food market, grocery shop, gym, wellbeing spaces, and a wildlife garden. On Monday, Bullring teased 'something legendary' on social media before revealing the exhibition.
Curated and commissioned by Central BID, the Business Improvement District for Birmingham's main retail and hospitality area, the exhibition also follows previous projects like the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street and the Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. The space has been provided by Hammerson, owners of Bullring and Grand Central.
Summer Highlights in Birmingham
The exhibition is one of the highlights of the summer in Birmingham, alongside Ozzy's iconic throne from the final concert, now on display at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Sam Watson, Chair of Central BID, said: “We’re delighted to bring this incredible exhibition to honour Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath in their beloved home city with images from two of the most renowned rock photographers in the world, Mark ‘WEISSGUY’ Weiss and Ross Halfin. It celebrates our local heroes and the world’s greatest rock stars and, working together with Bullring and Grand Central, we hope it will attract even more music fans to visit Birmingham and enjoy its rich musical heritage as the birthplace of heavy metal.”
Dan Murphy, Destination Director at Bullring, added: “Back to the Beginning was a truly historic moment for Birmingham and for music fans around the world. We’re delighted to host this free-to-view exhibition at Grand Central, giving visitors a unique opportunity to relive that incredible event and experience a celebration of some of rock’s most iconic artists in the heart of the city.”
