The free-to-enter exhibition, ‘Working Class Hero’, has opened today (June 25 to September 28) at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Showcasing Ozzy Osbourne’s most prestigious international honours, alongside photography and video, it’s being hailed as a ‘world first’.
‘Working Class Hero’ charts the Black Sabbath singer’s journey from “a working-class kid from Aston” to becoming the world’s most recognisable global rock legend. You can see Grammy Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame accolades, MTV awards, Hollywood Walk of Fame and Birmingham Walk of Stars honours and his platinum and gold discs.
Sharon Osbourne said, “Ozzy is proof that no matter where you start in life, with passion, grit, and a little bit of madness, you can achieve the extraordinary. This exhibition is a thank you to the fans and the city of Birmingham – the place where it all began. We’re so proud to bring it home.”
The launch of the exhibition comes just under 10 days before legendary rock band Black Sabbath’s historic concert at Villa Park. ‘Back to the Beginning’ is already being called “the greatest heavy metal show ever” on Saturday, July 5—and if you didn’t get a ticket, you can livestream it instead.
“We are incredibly proud to host this prestigious exhibition dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne – a true Brummie icon whose influence spans generations and continents,” said Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, Co-CEOs of Birmingham Museums Trust. “Celebrating the life and achievements of someone so deeply connected to the city aligns perfectly with our mission to reflect and share Birmingham’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.”
Elsewhere, fans can also enjoy a free outdoor Black Sabbath photography exhibition in Victoria Square, while on nearby Navigation Street, there’s a new 40-metre-long mural artwork in tribute to the band. Meanwhile, Selfridges has launched the ultimate Black Sabbath fan experience in store.