Ozzy Osbourne celebrates this special Birmingham memory from 16 years ago

You can take a man out of Birmingham but can you take Birmingham out of a man? In the case of Brummie legend, Ozzy Osbourne, clearly not.

He keeps Birmingham close to his heart and so, shared a Birmingham memory from 16 years ago when he received a special honour and a permanent marker of his excellence in the city centre.

Ozzy shared a throwback photo yesterday (July 6) on the 16th anniversary of him receiving a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars. He was in Birmingham on July 6, 2007 for the opening of the walk of stars - where he was the first recipient. Dressed in his signature colour - black - with his sunglasses and black nail paint, he looks happy ecstatic.

The 74-year-old heavy metal star, whose career started in the clubs of Birmingham along with Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler as Black Sabbath, has been honoured over and over by the residents- who still love him. The residents adore the Prince of Darkness so much that they have been campaigning for him to get knighthood. There is also the Black Sabbath bench on the Black Sabbath bridge with cut outs of the four members of the band.

However, sometimes a tribute tends to backfire as was the case with a Weatherspoons on New Street. A photo displayed in Birmingham’s New Street Station Wetherspoons - called the London and North Western - was not well received and was labelled “arguably the most disastrous tribute to Ozzy ever”.

More recently, the Commonwealth Games’ raging bull was given his name. The bull - which will have a permanent location in Birmingham at the New Street Station - received its new name after a voting process in which Ozzy had a landslide win. The massive structure has already arrived at the station - where it will be rebuilt completely so that it is ready for the Birmingham Festival 23.

This is how Ozzy - the rocker - reacted to it: “This year, I’ve been told that they’ve chosen my name to name the bull, which is going to be in the station I believe in Birmingham. I can’t believe it, I’m absolutely blown away. Thank you for all your votes. I don’t know what to say anymore. I’m just thrilled to bits. God bless you all. And Birmingham Forever!”

Ozzy - who performed at the closing ceremony for the Commonwealth Games along with Black Sabbath - spoke about how he made a quick decision to perform for his city.

He told BBC: “When I was asked last year to close the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, they didn’t have to ask me twice. I jumped on the next plane and flew back to England. I was honoured to close the Games.”

What is the Birmingham Walk of Stars?

The Walk of Stars in Birmingham is located on Broad Street and is a Hollywood walk of fame-style installation on the pedestrian pavement in the Westside area. It honours notable people from the city or those who have significant connections with it. The scheme is organised and funded by Westside BID, and each star is considered and selected by the Walk of Stars committee, chaired by city comedian Jasper Carrott.

The Broad Street Walk of Stars opened in 2007 with the unveiling of the Star of Ozzy Osbourne.

Who is on Birmingham Walk of Stars?

48 Stars honoured by Westside BID since 2007:

1. Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath band member
2. Jasper Carrott, comedian
3. Noddy Holder, Slade band member
4. Murray Walker, sports commentator
5. The Archers, soap opera
6. Norman Painting, Phil Archer in The Archers
7. Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath band member
8. Aston Villa’s 1982 European Cup-winning team
9. Tony ‘Bomber’ Brown, WBA footballer
10. Frank Skinner, comedian
11. Gil Merrick, Birmingham City footballer
12. Ray Graydon, Walsall manager
13. Julie Walters, actor
14. Gary Newbon, TV sports presenter
15. Lenny Henry, comedian
16. Beverley Knight, singer
17. Joan Armatrading, singer
18. Chris Tarrant, broadcaster and comedian
19. Birmingham Royal Ballet
20. David Bintley, dancer
21. Roy Wood, Electric Light Orchestra, Wizzard and The Move band member
22. Bev Bevan, Electric Light Orchestra and The Move band member
23. Matt Croucher GC, Lance Corporal awarded the George Cross in 2008
24. Laurie Mansfield, theatrical agent for Jim Davidson, Ken Dodd, Cannon & Ball, Tommy Steele, and others
25. Sir Keith Porter, military surgeon
26. Nigel Mansell, racing driver and 1992 Formula One World Champion
27. Malkit Singh, musician
28. Harry Moseley, champion child charity fund raiser
29. Jaki Graham, singer
30. Ellie Simmonds, Paralympian champion swimmer
31. David Harewood, actor
32. Jeff Lynne, Electric Light Orchestra and The Move ban member
33. Trevor Francis, Birmingham City footballer
34. Ian Lavender, actor (Private Pike in Dad’s Army)
35. Dennis Amiss, cricketer
36. Ann Haydon Jones, first left handed female Wimbledon winner
37. Steel Pulse, band
38. Toyah Willcox, singer
39. Don Maclean, comedian
40. Geezer Butler, Black Sabbath band member
41. Jamelia, singer
42. UB40, band
43. Black Sabbath, band
44. Bill Ward, Black Sabbath band member
45. Warwickshire County Cricket Club’s treble-winning team from 1994
46. Carl Palmer
47. John Lodge
48. Steve Gibbons