Thousands of heartfelt messages, flowers and memorabilia to be stored and handed over to Osbourne’s loved ones
Tributes left in memory of the late Ozzy Osbourne in his hometown of Birmingham are now being carefully removed and preserved by Birmingham City Council, with plans to pass them on to his family.
Following the heavy metal legend’s death last month at the age of 76, thousands of fans travelled to the city to honour the Black Sabbath frontman. Floral arrangements, handwritten messages, candles, keepsakes, and personal items were placed at the Black Sabbath Bridge in the city centre — a location that features a bench commemorating the band’s formation — as well as at the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street.
Birmingham City Council confirmed that all tributes will be collected, documented, and dried if damaged by weather, before being stored in a secure location. The council is working closely with the Osbourne family to determine the eventual destination for the items.
Among the more unique items left by fans were original concert tickets, cans of beer, candles, artwork, and even a box of tea accompanied by the message: “Just in case you can’t find a cuppa in heaven.”
Kate Brazier, Head of City Centre Events at the council, noted the emotional weight behind many of the tributes. “We’ve found all sorts,” she said. “But for me, the most touching was an old concert ticket from 1995, left with a message. It clearly meant a lot to someone at a significant time in their life.”
Ozzy’s daughter, Kelly Osbourne, expressed her gratitude in a social media post on Monday. “The love, support and beautiful messages I’ve received from so many of you have truly helped carry me through the hardest moment of my life,” she wrote. “Grief is a strange thing — it sneaks up on you in waves — I will not be ok for a while. But knowing my family are not alone in our pain makes a difference.”
She added: “I’m holding on tight to the love, the light, and the legacy left behind.”
In a statement, the Osbourne family said they were “deeply moved” by the tributes and the impact Ozzy had on fans locally and around the world. “These expressions of remembrance reflect the profound impact that Ozzy had on the city and its people, as well as fans from around the world — BIRMINGHAM FOREVER!”
Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, acknowledged the importance of allowing space for public grief: “We understand how important it is for the community to have a space to grieve and celebrate Ozzy’s legacy. We know fans will continue to pay their respects at the Black Sabbath Bridge, the mural on Navigation Street, and at the ongoing Ozzy exhibition.”
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