Recommendations of the Editorial team
On December 3, Ozzy’s 77th birthday, the city of Birmingham posthumously awarded him the Lord Mayor’s Award. His wife Sharon Osbourne and daughter Kelly accepted the honor.
The award – one of the city’s highest civilian honors – recognizes individuals for “outstanding achievements or exceptional service” to Birmingham and its people.
This honors Ozzy’s contribution to the cultural and musical identity of his homeland. In addition to the award, the city council presented the family with a condolence book containing thousands of condolences from fans and residents following Ozzy’s death in July.
Deeply rooted in Birmingham
Ozzy comes from the Aston district (namesake of the Premier League team Aston Villa) and remained connected to his hometown throughout his life. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – an honor that has only been given to 27 pop and rock artists worldwide.
Birmingham and Black Sabbath had already awarded him the “Freedom of the City” this year – shortly before his farewell concert in Villa Park. The current award is seen as a further celebratory recognition.
Additionally, the Working Class Hero Exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery has attracted almost 400,000 visitors since July. An impressive sign of how much Ozzy and his legacy move people.
Emotional award ceremony
Kelly Osbourne was deeply touched when the award was presented and thanked the people of the city for their great sympathy and support. She emphasized how much Birmingham was close to her father’s heart during the long years of exile in the USA.
Mayor Zafar Iqbal said Ozzy would “always be a proud and unforgettable son of Birmingham” – despite his global success, he had never forgotten his roots.
The presentation of the “Lord Mayor’s Award” is more than a symbolic gesture: it confirms that the music and life’s work of the “Prince of Darkness” not only had global significance, but is deeply rooted in the industrial region of the English Midlands.