The acclaimed exhibition honoring the life and career of Ozzy Osbourne, titled “Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero“, has been extended through the end of 2025 at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. The decision to extend the free exhibition was made due to overwhelming public demand and with the full support of the Osbourne family.
Since its opening on June 25, the exhibition has welcomed over 96,000 visitors, making it a major cultural draw for the city and a powerful testament to the enduring love for the late Black Sabbath frontman. The initial opening coincided with the band’s historic homecoming concert at Villa Park on July 5, an event that became one of Ozzy‘s final live performances.
Curated in collaboration with Central BID Birmingham, the exhibition provides an intimate look at Ozzy’s journey from his humble beginnings as a “working-class kid from Aston” to his status as a global rock legend. Visitors can see a stunning collection of his most prestigious international honors, including his Grammy Awards, his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame accolades, MTV awards, and his stars on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Birmingham Walk of Stars. The exhibit also features a selection of his platinum and gold discs, along with photography and video that document his decades-long career.
Following Ozzy‘s passing on July 22, the exhibition took on even greater significance. The museum established a civic book of condolence, where fans could leave their tributes and personal messages. The book, which was a focal point for public grieving, was closed on August 3 and will be presented to the Osbourne family.
Both the museum’s leadership and its partners expressed gratitude for the public’s response and the support of the Osbourne family. Sam Watson, chair of Central BID, said: “Central BID is extremely proud as curator and sponsor of the exhibition, which gives fans the chance to connect with the life and legacy of someone who never forgot where he came from. The response from the public has been phenomenal, and it’s only right that the exhibition continues so even more people can pay tribute to Ozzy‘s extraordinary life.”
Zak Mensah and Sara Wajid, co-chief executives of the Birmingham Museums Trust, echoed this sentiment, stating: “We are delighted to announce the extension of ‘Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero‘ to the end of the year. The public response to the exhibition has been overwhelming so far, demonstrating the love and affection for Ozzy from the people of Birmingham and beyond. We would like to extend our gratitude to Sharon and the rest of the Osbourne family for allowing us to continue to display this exhibition as a fitting tribute to Ozzy‘s life and legacy and to enable as many fans as possible to come and visit.”
The exhibition is a collaborative effort by Central BID Birmingham, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, and Sharon Osbourne Management, with support from Ocean Outdoor, Birmingham City Council, Aston Villa FC, and the West Midlands Growth Company.
