Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Photo: Steve Travelguide
Ozzy Osbourne’s iconic gothic-style throne, which became a defining symbol of his final live performances, will go on public display in his hometown of Birmingham next month. The throne will form a special new addition to the ongoing Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, where visitors will be able to see it from 1 July.
The striking piece was originally created for Osbourne’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. It later gained even greater significance when it appeared during his solo set and Black Sabbath’s farewell performance at Villa Park. The concert, titled Back to the Beginning, took place on 5 July 2025 and marked the final time fans saw the legendary singer perform on stage. Osbourne died just 17 days later at the age of 76, making the throne a powerful reminder of his lasting impact on music and popular culture.
The Working Class Hero exhibition celebrates Osbourne’s remarkable life and career, tracing his journey from Birmingham’s working-class roots to becoming one of the world’s most influential rock stars. The display already features a collection of personal items, rare memorabilia, and photographs that highlight key moments from his decades-long career.
The exhibition was developed through a partnership between Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham’s Central Business Improvement District (BID), and the Osbourne family. Since opening in June 2025, it has proved hugely popular, attracting more than 640,000 visitors. Due to strong public demand, the exhibition has already been extended twice and is now scheduled to continue until 27 September 2026.
In a statement issued on her behalf, Sharon Osbourne said that as the first anniversary of the Back to the Beginning concert approaches, it feels particularly appropriate for the throne to become part of the museum display. She noted that the throne has become closely associated with Ozzy’s final performance and expressed her hope that fans who admired him throughout his career will appreciate the opportunity to see it in person.
Sam Watson, chair of Central BID Birmingham, said efforts had been underway since the farewell concert to bring the throne back to Birmingham. He described it as an important piece of Ozzy’s legacy and said organisers were committed to ensuring fans could experience it in the city that meant so much to him.
Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for culture, Councillor Deborah Harries, also welcomed the addition. She described Osbourne as one of Birmingham’s most significant cultural icons and said the exhibition demonstrates the city’s continuing influence on the global music scene while honouring the extraordinary legacy of one of its most celebrated sons.
