Birmingham confirms plans for Ozzy Osbourne Day on first anniversary of his death
Next week will officially mark a year since Ozzy Osbourne‘s death, and Birmingham is set to come together to remember him.
On July 22nd, precisely a year after Osbourne died aged 76 following a cardiac arrest, Birmingham will unite to honour the Black Sabbath legend.
Last year, for his funeral procession, thousands lined the streets of England’s second-biggest city to honour the rock icon, with the five-piece brass band Bostin Brass also performing. For Ozzy Day, they will again soundtrack proceedings with a series of pop-up shows across Birmingham on July 22nd.
Additionally, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will deliver a special performance to honour Ozzy at the Bullring.
There will also be a chance for fans to take photographs with Ozzy the Bull, the mechanical bull from when the city hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2022,
Those celebrating Ozzy Day are encouraged to visit Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero exhibition, as well as explore the Celebrating Black Sabbath in the City trail.
Sam Watson, the chair of Central BID, said of the proposed plans for July 22nd: “Ozzy Day is a fantastic example of Birmingham working together to celebrate the legendary Ozzy Osbourne. By bringing together businesses, cultural organisations and public spaces, we’re creating a city centre wide experience that encourages people to celebrate the legacy of a truly global, Birmingham-born icon.”
Meanwhile, Councillor Deborah Harries, cabinet member for culture at Birmingham City Council, added of Osbourne’s legacy, “Ozzy Osbourne is one of Birmingham’s foremost cultural figures, and we continue to honour his legacy here in the city, where his journey began. I am glad to see the city partners coming together to celebrate Ozzy’s influence on music and his pride in his hometown.”
She also said it was “an opportunity for residents and visitors to celebrate this legacy, while showcasing the creativity, culture and character that make Birmingham so special.”
Overall, Osbourne, both with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist, performed in Birmingham on 52 occasions across his entire career.
Two of the final three performances took place in his hometown, with his last concert taking place at his farewell show, Back to the Beginning, at Villa Park just three weeks before he died. It also saw the original Black Sabbath line-up reunite for the first time in more than 20 years.
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