Two exhibitions are set to open in Birmingham celebrating the solo achievements and global awards of rock icon Ozzy Osbourne and the album art of the original BLACK SABBATH lineup — just in time for the band’s historic “Back To The Beginning” homecoming concert at Villa Park.

The free-to-enter exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery called “Working Class Hero” — running from June 25 to September 28 — showcases Ozzy‘s most prestigious international honors, including Grammy Awards, Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame accolades, MTV Awards, Hollywood Walk Of Fame and Birmingham Walk Of Stars honors and a selection of the legendary heavy metal singer’s platinum and gold discs which recognize millions of record sales around the world, alongside photography and video that charts his journey from “a working-class kid from Aston” to becoming the world’s most recognizable global rock legend.

Fans can also enjoy a free outdoor BLACK SABBATH photography exhibition in Victoria Square from June 25 throughout the summer and into the autumn. It showcases archive images of all four founding members of the band — Ozzy, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward — alongside iconic album artwork and fascinating facts about the band’s Birmingham roots.

And on nearby Navigation Street, outside New Street Station, world-famous spray artist Mr Murals has created a stunning 40-meter street-long artwork in tribute to BLACK SABBATH featuring their iconic logo and lifelike portraits throughout the last seven decades. It is the perfect spot for a SABBATH selfie this summer.

Together, these attractions form a landmark tribute to one of the most influential rock bands in history.

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.”

Sam Watson, chair of Central BID Birmingham, said: “Ozzy Osbourne and BLACK SABBATH helped shape modern music and put Birmingham on the global cultural map. These exhibitions are a celebration of our city’s creativity, heritage and influence — and a chance for fans to walk in the footsteps of legends.”

Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, co-CEOs of Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud to host this prestigious exhibition dedicated to Ozzy Osbourne — a true Brummie icon whose influence spans generations and continents. 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. We can’t wait to welcome visitors from near and far.”

With a free museum exhibition, a once-in-a-lifetime concert, and open-air artwork displays in the heart of the city, Birmingham is the global destination for BLACK SABBATH fans this summer.

“Ozzy Osbourne Working Class Hero” is an exhibition by Central BID Birmingham, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Sharon Osbourne Management sponsored by Ocean Outdoor and supported by Birmingham City Council, Aston Villa F.C., West Midlands Growth Company and Birmingham Music Archive.

Regarding his BLACK SABBATH mural, Birmingham artist Mr Murals previously said: “This mural is a tribute not just to BLACK SABBATH, but to the creative spirit of Birmingham. The band’s influence is everywhere, from metal music to fashion to attitude. I wanted to create something powerful and raw, just like their sound, that people can stand in front of and feel the energy of SABBATH and of the city itself.”

Commenting on the BLACK SABBATH mural, Sam Watson, chair of Central BID Birmingham, said: “BLACK SABBATH helped put Birmingham on the world stage, and this mural is a fitting tribute to their legacy.

“We’re thrilled to support this project and celebrate the city’s musical roots at such an exciting time for Birmingham.”

Elizabeth Graham, Birmingham New Street station manager, said: “Along with our very own Ozzy the bull, this new mural will provide a fantastic welcome to the thousands of fans arriving into the city ahead of BLACK SABBATH‘s Villa Park gig.

“We are only too pleased for our wall to be used for this artwork, and we can’t wait for the buzz and excitement in the build-up to what will be a weekend to remember.”

BLACK SABBATH was previously honored with a mural in Digbeth, Birmingham in 2019 by street artist N4T4.

Ozzy and the rest of the original BLACK SABBATH lineup — guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward — will perform one last time as part a fundraising event at Villa Park, featuring a host of bands they inspired, including METALLICA, PANTERA, SLAYER, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.

The concert, dubbed “Back To The Beginning”, was announced at Villa Park on Wednesday (February 5) by Sharon and Tony.

See the full list of performers in the poster below.

All proceeds from the show will go to Birmingham charities Cure Parkinson’s, the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice.

Osbourne comments: “It’s my time to go ‘Back To The Beginning’… time for me to give back to the place where I was born. How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.”

METALLICA says: “We are beyond honored and humbled to be invited to perform at BLACK SABBATH‘s final show, back where it all began in Birmingham, England. On July 5 at Villa Park — home of Aston Villa — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward will reunite to play their first show together in 20 years. Tickets go on sale at 10 AM GMT on Friday, February 14, via Ticketmaster UK and Live Nation UK.

“As part of this huge celebration of nearly six decades of BLACK SABBATH, we’ll hit the stage just before a short solo set from Ozzy Osbourne, followed by the mighty SABBATH closing the show. ANTHRAX, ALICE IN CHAINS, GOJIRA, HALESTORM, LAMB OF GOD, MASTODON, PANTERA, and SLAYER will also be a part of the massive night.

“An incredible lineup of musicians from around the globe will also be on hand to pay tribute, including Billy Corgan (THE SMASHING PUMPKINS), David Draiman (DISTURBED), Duff McKagan & Slash (GUNS N’ ROSES), Frank Bello (ANTHRAX), Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT), Jake E. Lee, Jonathan Davis (KORN), K.K. Downing,  Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM), Mike Bordin (FAITH NO MORE), Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (ANTHRAX), II (SLEEP TOKEN), Papa V Perpetua (GHOST),Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE),Wolfgang Van Halen, and Zakk Wylde.

“All profits from the night will go to the following charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa.

“Our admiration for BLACK SABBATH runs deep, and we cannot wait to be a part of this historic event! We’ll see you in Birmingham!”

A year ago, Sharon said that Ozzy was hoping to play a farewell concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park as a “goodbye” to fans.

BLACK SABBATH is considered a pioneer of heavy metal and was formed in 1968 in Aston, Birmingham.

BLACK SABBATH has sold over 75 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006, awarded a Lifetime Ivor Novello Songwriting Award in 2015 and were presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

The band has a star on the Broad Street Walk Of Stars in Birmingham, alongside individual stars in their own right, together with a bench in their honor.

In February 2017, SABBATH finished “The End” tour in Birmingham, closing out the quartet’s groundbreaking 49-year career.

“The End” was SABBATH‘s last tour because Iommi — who was diagnosed with lymphoma in late 2011 — can no longer travel for extended amounts of time.

Iommi revealed his cancer diagnosis in early 2012, shortly after SABBATH announced a reunion tour and album. He underwent treatment throughout the recording of the disc, titled “13”, and the subsequent tour to promote it.

The BLACK SABBATH guitarist successfully underwent an operation in January 2017 to remove a noncancerous lump from his throat.

“13” was the first album in 35 years to feature Iommi, Osbourne and Butler all playing together.

Ward was on board for the SABBATH reunion when it was first announced 11 years ago, but backed out soon after. The drummer later claimed that he sat out the recording and touring sessions because of unfair contractual terms, although the members of SABBATH have hinted in other interviews that he wasn’t physically up to the task.

All four original members of SABBATH were present when the band announced its final reunion in late 2011. But Ward split from the group in 2012, citing an “unsignable” contract, and Osbourne, Iommi and Butler carried on with their Rick Rubin–produced “13” LP and extensive international touring without him.