Six months after his death, Ozzy Osbourne posthumously received Birmingham’s Lord Mayor’s Award on what would have been the heavy metal icon’s 77th birthday. The prestigious annual honor presented to an individual (group or organization) for “outstanding achievement or exceptional service to the city and people of Birmingham” was an especially fitting tribute to the late rocker given his love for him hometown.
In a video message from daughter Kelly Osbourne, she said, “I just want to take a second to thank the people of Birmingham for not only showing my family so much love, but for showing up for my father in a way that made him the happiest man on the planet.” Kelly was on hand to receive the honor alongside her mother, Sharon Osbourne, and the family were also gifted with the book of condolences featuring what Kelly said were “hundreds of thousands” of tributes from fellow Birmingham citizens.
“The one thing my father was most proud of is that he was a Brummie,” said Kelly, using the popular nickname for people from Birmingham. “And Birmingham has done him proud.”
Osbourne died on July 22 at age 76, just 17 days after he performed his solo hits and reunited with Black Sabbath at his home soccer stadium, Birmingham’s Villa Park, for the all-star Back to the Beginning tribute show that also featured sets from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Anthrax and many more.
A post from the city’s Lord Mayor showed Kelly and Sharon receiving the official Award as well as the condolence book with the caption, “Today, the Deputy Lord Mayor and I was honoured to meet with the Osbourne family and posthumously present Ozzy Osbourne’s Lord Mayor’s Award and the Book of Condolences following his passing An iconic and much missed son of Birmingham, the city he loved so much [black heart emoji].”
Sharon Osbourne also shared a moving birthday tribute to her beloved husband in an Instagram video set to Ozzy’s wistful 1995 metal ballad “See You On the Other Side” featuring images of a birthday tribute to Ozzy in Birmingham, as well as sentimental pics of the couple throughout the years. “My darling husband, I celebrate the day you were born. I will never let go of your hand until I see you on the other side,” Sharon wrote in the caption.
Son Jack Osbourne also got in on the birthday wishes, with a similarly wistful video cued to Ozzy’s cover of the Beatles’ “In My Life” featuring touching pics of father and son over the years. The official Ozzy X account marked his birthday with a video featuring his beloved 1991 ballad “Mama, I’m Coming Home” along with a link to a commemorative T-shirt featuring a childhood portrait of Ozzy with the message “Made in Birmingham” underneath.
Watch Kelly Osbourne’s message below.
