News Story
Fans can pay tribute to Ozzy by signing book of condolence in the museum’s Round Room.
Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero exhibition currently on display.
Along with other founding members of Black Sabbath, Ozzy was awarded Freedom of the City of Birmingham on 28 June before final concert on 5 July.
A book of condolence has been opened at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery for fans to pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne following his death on Tuesday 22 July.
The exhibition, 'Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero', 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 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.
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.”
Civic book of condolence
We are honoured to be hosting the civic book of condolence for Ozzy Osbourne in the Round Room at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.
We have extended our opening hours so that the Round Room and Ozzy Osbourne exhibition will be open 10am - 7pm on Thursday 24 July, Friday 25 July and Saturday 26 July. This is to allow as many fans as possible to pay their respects, sign the book of condolence and visit the Ozzy Osbourne exhibition. Visitors also have the option to leave a voice note of condolence via a telephone situated in the museum. At this time we intend to host the book until the date of the funeral. We expect many people will want to pay their respects so visitors should expect queues to sign the book.
Do you have a special Ozzy-related item you'd like to donate? Please speak to a member of our staff (we wear pink lanyards), or feel free to get in touch at hello@birminghammuseums.org.uk.
Please note: Unfortunately, we cannot take responsibility for any items that are dropped off or left on site. Any items left onsite will/may be disposed of. Flowers cannot be left inside the museum.
Online book of condolence
The city of Birmingham has opened up an online book of condolence for fans from across the world to leave their thoughts, memories and messages after the sad passing of Ozzy Osbourne.
The online book is hosted by Birmingham City Council.
Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero
This exhibition celebrates the solo achievements and global awards of rock icon Ozzy Osbourne.