BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Six months after his death, Ozzy Osbourne was posthumously awarded Birmingham’s Lord Mayor’s Award on what would have been the heavy metal icon’s 77th birthday.
The prestigious annual honor, presented to individuals, groups or organizations for “outstanding achievement or exceptional service to the city and people of Birmingham,” was considered a fitting tribute to Osbourne, who was known for his deep love of his hometown.
In a video message, Osbourne’s daughter, Kelly Osbourne, thanked 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 attended the ceremony alongside her mother, Sharon Osbourne, and the family was also presented with a book of condolences containing what Kelly described as “hundreds of thousands” of tributes from Birmingham residents.
“The one thing my father was most proud of is that he was a Brummie,” Kelly said, using the popular term for people from Birmingham. “And Birmingham has done him proud.”
Osbourne died July 22 at age 76, just 17 days after performing his solo hits and reuniting with Black Sabbath at Birmingham’s Villa Park for the all-star “Back to the Beginning” tribute concert, which also featured Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Pantera, Alice in Chains, Anthrax and others.
A post from the city’s Lord Mayor showed Kelly and Sharon Osbourne receiving the award and the condolence book. “Today, the Deputy Lord Mayor and I were honored 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,” the post read.
Sharon Osbourne also paid tribute to her late husband in an Instagram video set to Osbourne’s 1995 song, “See You On the Other Side,” featuring images of a birthday tribute in Birmingham and photos 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,” she wrote in the caption.
Son Jack Osbourne shared a birthday video set to Ozzy’s cover of the Beatles’ “In My Life,” with photos of father and son over the years. The official Ozzy X account also marked the musician’s birthday with a video featuring his 1991 ballad “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and a link to a commemorative T-shirt featuring a childhood portrait of Osbourne with the message “Made in Birmingham.”