This month, Birmingham becomes the epicenter of heavy rock with the opening of “Working Class Hero,” an exhibition dedicated to the life, work, and cultural impact of Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic “Prince of Darkness” and original vocalist of Black Sabbath. From June 25th to September 28th, 2025, the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery opens its doors free of charge to an exhibition celebrating one of the city’s most illustrious sons.
The exhibition takes its name from John Lennon's song "Working Class Hero," a title that also defines Ozzy's career: born in the humble district of Aston, he managed to rise to the Olympus of world rock without forgetting his working-class roots. Inside the museum, visitors will find iconic objects such as his Grammy, MTV and platinum album awards, as well as his stars on the Hollywood and Birmingham Walk of Fame, as well as previously unpublished material, family photographs and documents that narrate his journey through music, television and popular culture.
Beyond the museum walls, the celebration extends into the city with an outdoor installation in Victoria Square, featuring photographs of the four original members of Black Sabbath and a series of historic album covers. On Navigation Street, a 40-meter mural by street artist Mr Murals pays visual homage to the band's legacy, integrating street art with musical storytelling.
As part of the same tribute, Birmingham will host the historic "Back To The Beginning" concert on July 5th, reuniting Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for the first time in over 20 years. This special event at Villa Park will feature high-caliber guests such as Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Tool, Slayer, and Alice In Chains. The concert will be streamed worldwide, with proceeds donated to causes such as Cure Parkinson's and local children's hospitals.
“Working Class Hero” no es sólo una retrospectiva, sino una carta de amor de Birmingham a uno de sus artistas más influyentes. Como expresó Sharon Osbourne, “esta exposición es un tributo a la perseverancia, a la locura creativa y a la ciudad que formó a Ozzy”. Para fans del rock, de la historia musical y del poder de las raíces humildes transformadas en grandeza global, esta muestra representa una oportunidad única de caminar junto a una leyenda.