A one-day celebration including a walk through Birmingham and a concert has honoured the life and legacy of Ozzy Osbourne
Three days after Ozzy Day, which marked the anniversary of Osbourne’s death, fans gathered on Saturday to remember the Black Sabbath star
They met at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery for an afternoon filled with exhibitions, talks, storytelling and performances, assessing the impact of Osbourne, Sabbath, and Birmingham’s role as the birthplace of heavy metal
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At 14:00 BST, the main event of the day kicked off, with a special concert inspired by Back to the Beginning, Black Sabbath’s final concert, which took place last July at Villa Park
Ashley Farley from Bartley Green was one of the event’s organisers
“It’s mainly to show people his influence is all around Birmingham,” Farley said
“We want to give people a chance to pay their respects and celebrate his life, his legacy and everything he’s done for us.”
Farley said the endeavour had been a labour of love, and that if it were not for Osbourne, he would not be where he is today
“I wouldn’t be into the music I am today, enjoying the live experiences of the countless gigs and festivals I’ve been to, the family I’ve managed to make that’s not by blood, the community of such strong, passionate people,” he said
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Farley first listened to Osbourne and Black Sabbath when he was given a compilation CD by his cousin, which included Crazy Train and Children of the Grave
“It transported me to a different world. I just latched onto it and thought this is basically my identity, it spoke to me in such a way I’ve continued on,” he said
“Even my own daughter listens to Sabbath, she listens to some really heavy bands with me, she likes the people that we’ve met through being a big community that we are.”
Draco, another organiser of the event, told the BBC: “Today shows the epitome of what this entire city, this entire culture, this rock and roll family is
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“What makes this event so special is that link between the heritage of what’s past, [then] to look towards to the next generation
“There is this beautiful symbolic torch that started in Aston, travelled around the world and has come back home.”
Stuart Mander, who is in a Black Sabbath tribute band, travelled all the way from his home in Melbourne, Australia, to pay tribute to Osbourne on the anniversary of his death
“I flew 22 hours on a plane. It’s a long flight but absolutely worth it,” he said
“Ozzy means a lot to me and I did my best to pay my respects to him all week
“I left a rose on the bench, I met some really awesome people and I got to perform Crazy Train with Stuart Panther at the Academy Arena in front of a packed stadium. It’s been the highlight of my whole experience.”
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When asked why Osbourne was so special, Mander said: “He’s humble, he’s a really beautiful person offstage and onstage
“He’s not arrogant, not a horrible musician. He’s always nice and polite to everyone and his songs are meaningful. They connect with you.”
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