Ozzy's cultural impact to celebrated with award

An award celebrating Ozzy Osbourne's impact on Birmingham's cultural and musical identity is to be given to his family.

The Lord Mayor's award, one of Birmingham's highest civic honours, will be presented posthumously on Wednesday - the day the rock legend would have been toasting his 77th birthday.

A book of condolence, which has been signed by fans from across the globe, will also be given to his family at the private ceremony.

"He was so loved by the people of Birmingham, so it is great to come back and see the impact he has had in his hometown and how he continues to inspire generations of Brummies", a spokesperson for the Osbournes said.

Born and raised in Aston, Osbourne achieved global stardom and success, both as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Black Sabbath and later with a solo career that would eclipse the success the band enjoyed.

He died in July, aged 76, just 17 days after Sabbath's Back to the Beginning farewell show.

Thousands of fans turned out to cheer the coffin on Osbourne's final journey through his home city of Birmingham.

Nearly 400,000 visitors have seen the Working Class Hero exhibition in his honour at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery since July.

The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE said: "Ozzy was and always will be a proud and much missed son of Birmingham.

"Having achieved worldwide success, he never forgot his Brummie roots, so I am honoured to present the award to his family in a fitting tribute of everything he has done for our city. Ozzy forever!"

His award comes after the four members of Sabbath - Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Terence "Geezer" Butler and Bill Ward - were given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, back in June.