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Birmingham Celebrates Ozzy with Free Fest, AI Avatar Controversy

7/22/2026

Summary

Ozzy Day

Birmingham held a free city-wide Ozzy Day on July 22, 2026.
It featured Bostin’ Brass, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at the Bullring, and a 10 m Ozzy The Bull statue at New Street station.
On May 20, Sharon Osbourne and Jack announced an AI Ozzy avatar that could converse and move like him, drawing cash-grab criticism.
CEO Nick Barton rejected a petition that had gathered 77,000 signatures to rename Birmingham Airport “Ozzy Osbourne International”.

Summary

Ozzy War Pigs

At the February 2026 Grammy Awards, a star-studded “War Pigs” performance honored Ozzy Osbourne, featuring Slash, Duff McKagan and Post Malone.
Judas Priest released a duet with Ozzy Osbourne on “War Pigs,” the first time the band recorded together.
The documentary “Ozzy: No Escape From Now” premiered, chronicling Ozzy Osbourne's final years and the Back to the Beginning concert.
Yungblud won the Grammy for Best Rock Performance for his live “Changes” recorded at the Back to the Beginning show.

History

Historical Context

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne created Ozzfest in October 1996 after Lollapalooza rejected Ozzy, launching a two-day metal tour that grew into an almost-annual festival through 2018. The 1998 Float Rite Park show drew 39,000 fans, demonstrating the model’s mass-appeal. Today, Birmingham’s free Ozzy Day and a Grammy “War Pigs” tribute echo that legacy-driven, large-scale format.

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Ozzy Day

Birmingham held a free city-wide Ozzy Day on July 22, 2026.
It featured Bostin’ Brass, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra at the Bullring, and a 10 m Ozzy The Bull statue at New Street station.
On May 20, Sharon Osbourne and Jack announced an AI Ozzy avatar that could converse and move like him, drawing cash-grab criticism.
CEO Nick Barton rejected a petition that had gathered 77,000 signatures to rename Birmingham Airport “Ozzy Osbourne International”.

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