‘Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero’ exhibition extended due to public demand
The Birmingham exhibition has had nearly 100,000 visitors
The ‘Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero’ exhibition in Birmingham has been extended by almost four months due to public demand.
The free exhibition features awards, photographs and videos that the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery describes as charting Ozzy’s journey from ‘a working-class kid from Aston to becoming the world’s most recognisable global rock legend’.
It was originally scheduled to finish on 28th September, but will now remain on display until 18th January 2026, with the blessing and support of the Osbourne family.
The exhibition was officially opened by Sharon Osbourne on 25th June, ahead of Ozzy and Black Sabbath’s historic homecoming concert at Villa Park on 5th July.
It has since welcomed more than 96,000 visitors and includes Grammy Awards, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame accolades, MTV awards, Hollywood Walk of Fame and Birmingham Walk of Stars honours and a selection of platinum and gold discs.
Sam Watson, chair of Central BID Birmingham, one of the partners that developed the exhibition, 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 Birmingham Museums Trust, said: " "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."
Ozzy's final gig: 'Back to the Beginning' at Villa Park
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
A giant inflatable Ozzy greeted fans arriving at Holte End of Villa Park.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Back to the Beginning host Jason Momoa and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler pose in an empty Villa Park as gates open.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Atlanta, Georgia metal monoliths Mastodon were the first band to take to the Back to the Beginning stage.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Thrash legends Anthrax pose in front of the Villa Park crowd after their performance at Back to the Beginning. Wearing matching 'Sabbath Bloody Anthrax' T-shirts, Anthrax played their own song 'Indians' and a fiery cover of Black Sabbath's 'Into the Void'.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, wearing a 'Sabbath Bloody Anthrax' T-shirt with 'Iommi 666' on the back, at the Back to the Beginning concert.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Yungblud belts out Black Sabbath's 'Changes' at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park. Performing as part of Supergroup A, Yungblud dedicated the track to late Liverpool player Diogo Jota.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Aerosmith's Steven Tyler performed as part of 'Supergroup B', singing on 'The Train Kept A-Rollin'' and 'Walk This Way / Whole Lotta Love'
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Back to the Beginning musical director Tom Morello with Steven Tyler at Villa Park.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
An inflatable Ozzy Osbourne ball in Aston Villa colours bounces in the crowd at Villa Park.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Although he didn't appear at Villa Park, Tenacious D's Jack Black performed Ozzy Osbourne's 'Mr. Crowley' on the screens with a young band that included Scott Ian's son, Revel.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Tom Morello wore a Randy Rhoads T-shirt with 'Sabbath Rules' taped to the back of his guitar.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
In character as Papa V Perpetua, Ghost leader Tobias Forge sang 'Bark at the Moon ' with Vernon Reid, Nuno Bettencourt, Adam Wakeman, Rudy Sarzo and Travis Barker.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
One of the surprise performers, The Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood played on The Train Kept A-Rollin' as part of Supergroup B.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Metallica's James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo in front of the glorious Villa Park crowd at Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning concert on Saturday 5th July.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Metallica's Lars Ulrich at Back to the Beginning. The metal titans' six-song set included covers of Black Sabbath's 'Hole in the Sky' and 'Johnny Blade', plus their own Metallica classics 'Creeping Death', 'For Whom the Bell Tolls', 'Battery' and 'Master of Puppets'.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
As he took to the stage on his bat throne, Ozzy Osbourne told the adoring Villa Park crowd: "It's so good to be on this stage... You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Ozzy Osbourne flips the bird at photographer Ross Halfin.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
The Prince of Darkness on his bat throne.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Ozzy sang five solo tracks - 'I Don't Know', 'Mr. Crowley', 'Suicide Solution', 'Mama, I'm Coming Home' and 'Crazy Train' - before he was joined on stage by his Black Sabbath band mates Bill Ward, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi one last time.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
The concert at Villa Park was Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath's last-ever live performance.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
The Hand of Doom himself Tony Iommi at Black Sabbath's final concert at Villa Park.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler at Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward at Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi at Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler at Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler at Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi at Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward at Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's Back to the Beginning
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi at Back to the Beginning