Thousands of Ozzy Osbourne tributes, flowers, drawings and personal messages were left in Birmingham at the Black Sabbath mural and bench by fans since the music icon’s death.
Here’s a look behind the scenes into the sensitive work being carried out to preserve these tributes in the long term for the family and fans.
Following the emotional cortege procession and final farewell to Ozzy in Birmingham Broad Street on July 30, Central BID has worked with Birmingham City Council this week to carefully move all items from Black Sabbath Bridge and in front of a mural signed by the band in Navigation Street.
Our team at Central BID has been sorting through them at a secret location, large enough to accommodate the thousands of poignant messages, flowers and gifts. They are ensuring they are preserved in the best possible condition, ready to be sent to the Osbourne family.
Every piece is being carefully laid out and catalogued with care. We will be working to create a digital record of every tribute over the next few weeks.
Even flowers left by fans are set to be close to Ozzy going forward, as they are being mulched and bagged. This confetti compost will be used at Ozzy’s final resting place.
At the centre of this poignant sorting room are the 10 purple flowers encased in black tissue and ribbon that were placed by Sharon Osbourne and Ozzy’s other loved ones at the Black Sabbath bench. At the wishes of the family, these will also be mulched into the special compost.
Tributes have been left by worldwide fans and it is touching to see how far love for the Working Class Hero from Aston stretches. Alongside the many Aston Villa flags left are those from Mexico to El Salvador, even Trinidad and Tobago.
Guitars, mini amplifiers, angels, candles plus lots and lots of toy bats. Black Sabbath T-shirts sit alongside one for Acorns Hospice, a Birmingham charity Ozzy Osbourne and his family have supported.
A message on it reads ‘thank you’, which reflects Ozzy’s charitable legacy as well as his one to heavy metal music.
Thank you again to everyone who took the time to pay their respects to Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham.
The Ozzy Osbourne Working Class Hero exhibition has been extended to be available to view for free at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery until the end of the year.