Black Sabbath fans got their first look at Ozzy Osbourne’s “incredible” throne from the Back To The Beginning gig as it went on display at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery today(July 1).
It’s the latest addition to the Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero exhibition – curated by Central BID Birmingham and the Museum – to coincide with the anniversary of Black Sabbath’s final gig on July 5, 2025.
The iconic gothic one-off ceremonial chair epitomises the heavy metal singer with intricate details of bejewelled skulls on the arms, bat wing motifs, monster talons and even the hose that Ozzy used to spray fans with water attached to the arm rest.
Fans can see the throne for free at the exhibition in Birmingham, which has been extended twice until Sunday September 27, 2026, due to its popularity.
It comes ahead of further activities in Birmingham city centre for the first Ozzy Osbourne Day on July 22, 2026 – to mark a year since the icon’s death. It will include Ozzy The Bull at Birmingham New Street being dressed up and Kings Heath-based Bostin Brass Band playing live music at Grand Central through the day with more to be revealed soon.
Fan John Layland from Dudley was first in the queue to see the throne at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. John said: “I was at the Back To The Beginning concert and was so excited to see that the throne was coming back to Birmingham – it’s where it should be.
“To see it up close and personal is incredible. The love and care being shown to Ozzy’s legacy in Birmingham is absolutely beautiful. I’ve always been proud of Birmingham’s history with heavy metal and to see it displayed like this is so special.”
Central BID has collaborated with the Osbourne family to bring the throne along with other remarkable Ozzy music artefacts to Birmingham. The throne’s arrival was covered with a broadcast on Ed James’ show on BBC Radio WM.
Sam Watson, Chair of Central BID, said: “We’ve worked closely with Sharon Osbourne and the Osbourne family to make sure that the throne came to Birmingham and Brummies got to see it first.
“Sharon was very much of the mind that Birmingham should see the throne first. It was the last thing that Ozzy sat on at that concert so it should be here.
“Since the concert and exhibition launched last year, we have seen hundreds of thousands of people come to Birmingham not just from the UK but from across the world. We hope the chance to see this throne gives more people a reason to visit us here.”
The throne was originally built for when Ozzy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024 and returned for the Back To The Beginning gig, performed to 40,000 fans at Villa Park and watched by 5 million people worldwide.
Jez Collins, of Birmingham Music Archive, said: “This throne has its place in music history and is iconic. It will get even more iconic as the years pass.
“You look at it and know that it was in Ozzy’s last ever performance in his home city, streets from where he lived. The connection to the history and heritage of Birmingham and Ozzy is tangible.
“Being so close to it, you can feel that connection to Ozzy. I am transported straight back to that night of July 5, when he came up on stage in the throne. It’s incredible to have it back in Birmingham, right here in the heart of the museum. Central BID has done so much work to get it here.”
Anthony Crutch, Brand and Marketing Manager at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, added: “It’s absolutely fantastic to have this Ozzy memorabilia in his home city. We’ve been able to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world, who might not have otherwise come to Birmingham.”
Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero is free to visit during Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery opening hours of Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm during term time and over the summer holidays from July 18 to August 30, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.