Full Breakdown
Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Throne Takes Center Stage in Birmingham
7/3/2026, 12:56:01 PM
The Throne’s Public Debut at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
The black, gothic-style throne that Ozzy Osbourne sat on during his last live appearance is now on display at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. The piece joins the free exhibition “Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero,” which opened on 1 July 2026 and has been extended to run until 27 September 2026. The throne, originally built for Osbourne’s 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, was also used at the “Back To The Beginning” charity concert on 5 July 2025 at Villa Park.
From Final Performance to Museum Exhibit: Background
At “Back To The Beginning,” Osbourne performed a solo set followed by four classic Black Sabbath songs with the original lineup—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. He sang while seated on the throne and concluded with the remark, “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Osbourne died of a heart attack on 22 July 2025; his death certificate listed coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease. A private funeral was held on 31 July 2025 for 110 family members and friends, while thousands of fans gathered in Birmingham the day before to pay tribute.
Key Figures Behind the Exhibition
- Sharon Osbourne – Manager and family representative.
- Sam Watson, chair of Central BID Birmingham, coordinated the throne’s return.
- Deborah Harries, Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Culture, endorsed the display.
- Sara Wajid and Zak Mensah, co-chief executives of Birmingham Museums Trust, oversaw curation.
- Jez Collins, Birmingham Museum spokesperson, commented on the throne’s iconic status.
Timeline of Milestones
- 5 July 2025 – Final live performance at Villa Park, throne used.
- 22 July 2025 – Osbourne’s death.
- 31 July 2025 – Private funeral; public street tribute in Birmingham.
- June 2025 – “Working Class Hero” exhibition opens.
- 1 July 2026 – Throne added to exhibition.
- 25 July 2026 – One-day “Legacy of a Madman” tribute event.
- 27 September 2026 – Scheduled end of exhibition.
Visitor Impact and Statistics
Since its launch in June 2025, the exhibition has attracted over 640 000 visitors. The one-day tribute on 25 July 2026 will feature guided walks and two hours of live music, with the throne as a focal point.
Cultural Significance for Birmingham
The display underscores Birmingham’s role as the birthplace of heavy metal and highlights the city’s ongoing effort to preserve and promote its musical heritage. Organisers describe the throne as comparable to other city icons such as Pink Floyd’s “Flying Pig” sculpture.
Official Statements & Responses
Museum executives emphasized the throne’s recognisability and its function as a “powerful final chapter” in Osbourne’s career. City officials framed the exhibit as a means to honour a “foremost cultural figure” and to connect visitors with Birmingham’s musical legacy. Central BID noted its collaboration with the Osbourne family to ensure the throne returned to the city first.
Criticism & Opposition
No dissenting viewpoints or criticisms were reported in the available sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ Sam Watson, chair of Central BID Birmingham, said: "Since the momentous 'Back To The Beginning' gig last year, Central BID has been working closely with the Osbourne family to bring Ozzy's throne back to Birmingham, so fans can see it up close and feel the spirit of Ozzy is still with everyone.” — Sam Watson, Chair, Central BID Birmingham
- “Ozzy Osbourne is one of Birmingham's most foremost cultural figures, and it is only right that we continue to honor his extraordinary legacy here in the city where his journey began.” — Deborah Harries, Cabinet Member for Culture
- “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” — Ozzy Osbourne, final performance
- “Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne are synonymous with Birmingham. They've done so much for the city, and there's so much love them in the city.” — Jez Collins, Birmingham Museum
- “It's iconic, it's up there with things like the Flying Pig from Pink Floyd, it's that level of iconic. I've literally got goosebumps looking at it,” — Jez Collins, Birmingham Museum
What’s Next
The exhibition will remain open through late September 2026, and the “Legacy of a Madman” event on 25 July 2026 will provide additional programming, including live music and guided tours that contextualise the throne within Osbourne’s broader cultural impact.
