Ozzy Osbourne is arguably Birmingham’s most famous musician.
The Prince of Darkness is known around the world for being the lead singer of legendary rock group - and heavy metal pioneers - Black Sabbath.
The War Pigs and Paranoid singer also embarked on a successful solo career post Sabbath, helping to put Birmingham on the map long before Peaky Blinders became a global phenomenon.
Ozzy's MTV family show The Osbournes with his wife Sharon and children in the early 00s was seen as the first real reality TV show, paving the way for the likes of Keeping up with the Kardashians - although they might not have seen that coming at the time!
Ozzy's struggles with substance abuse from his controversial hellraising days in Sabbath are well documented, and his fame knows no bounds as people worship him as the godfather of heavy metal across the world.
He was born in Brum in 1948 and grew up in Aston. He has spent many years living in LA, but has now recently moved back to his family home in Buckinghamshire as he turns 75 on December 3.
Ozzy has suffered with a number of health issues in recent years. In 2003, Ozzy suffered a fall and dislodged metal rods placed in his spine following a quad-bike accident. He also suffers from Parkinson’s disease and emphysema - a lung condition that causes shortness of breath.
As a tribute to one of Birmingham’s biggest icons, we’ve taken a look at 11 times Ozzy made you proud to be a Brummie (there are many more):
1. Being a working class Brummie
Ozzy was brought up in Aston, in a small home in Lodge Road - and he even worked in a Digbeth Slaughterhouse for a couple of years after leaving school Photo: Everett Collection
2. Writing War Pigs and Paranoid
Two of Black Sabbath’s most famous tracks are Paranoid and War Pigs from the 1970 album Paranoid. Ozzy’s lyrics for War Pigs are about the Vietnam War - with the band later saying they are ‘totally against the Vietnam War, about how these rich politicians and rich people start all the wars for their benefit and get all the poor people to die for them’. | Google
3. Playing Live Aid in 1985
Sabbath played three tracks at Live Aid: Children Of The Grave, Iron Man and Paranoid, with the US show, along with the UK concert at London’s Wembley Stadium, watched by millions around the world. The band performed to raise money for charity | Live Aid
4. Appearing at the White House
Ozzy and Sharon were invited to the White House dinner in 2002 following the succes of The Osbournes tv show. Ozzy reportedly got rather drunk, jumped on his table and even made the then President George W. Bush say “this might have been a mistake.” | Google