The city of Birmingham is set to pay a final, poignant tribute to its most famous son. Ozzy Osbourne, the heavy metal pioneer who carried the spirit of the city to global stardom, will posthumously receive the prestigious Lord Mayor’s Award this Wednesday, December 3. The date carries profound significance, as it marks what would have been the singer’s 77th birthday.
The honor will be presented by Birmingham’s current Lord Mayor, Zafar Iqbal MBE, and Deputy Lord Mayor Ken Wood during a private ceremony attended by members of the Osbourne family. The award recognizes “outstanding achievement or exceptional service to the city and people of Birmingham,” a description that fits the man who helped put the industrial city on the global musical map.
Lord Mayor Iqbal confirmed the details of the tribute in an Instagram post earlier today:
“On 3 December—Ozzy Osbourne’s birthday—his family will receive the Lord Mayor’s Award in a heartfelt tribute to his life and legacy. From Aston to the world stage, Ozzy defined heavy metal and carried Birmingham in his heart every step of the way. Ozzy forever!”
The ceremony comes at the end of a year defined by both celebration and mourning for the heavy metal community. Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025, after having prolonged health issues. His death came just weeks after he managed to defy declining health to stage a historic farewell performance.
On July 5, Osbourne rallied for “Back To The Beginning,” a massive homecoming concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park. The emotional event saw the “Prince of Darkness” fronting Black Sabbath one last time in an all-star spectacle that raised $11 million for charities including Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
The Lord Mayor’s Award is the latest in a series of civic honors bestowed upon the singer. Prior to his passing, Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates were awarded the Freedom of the City, and the band has been permanently memorialized with a commemorative bench on Broad Street, the renaming of the Black Sabbath Bridge, and a permanent art installation that the members personally signed during the buildup to their final show.
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