Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Along with a number of metal musicians, a world-first photography exhibition has launched in Birmingham to commemorate the last live solo performance of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s original lineup, as per Blabbermouth. “Back To The Beginning – The Exhibition” spans 60 meters at Grand Central, above New Street Station, and includes some of the biggest names in rock and metal history in addition to gorgeous photos of Ozzy and his Sabbath comrades Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Fans can even join the historic lineup for the ultimate rock selfie moment. A massive ninie-meter digital wallpaper graphic with the majority of the international celebrities who participated has left room for admirers to stand.
A year ago, the “Back To The Beginning” performance honouring Ozzy and Black Sabbath at Villa Park featured free appearances by the biggest names in music, all of whom are stadium-filling performers in their own right. Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Anthrax, Lamb Of God, Halestorm, Mastodon, and Rival Sons were among them; they are all included in this brand-new, one-of-a-kind must-see exhibition. They were joined by a host of all-star supergroups featuring legendary musicians including Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Yungblud, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chilli Peppers), Jake E. Lee (Ozzy Osbourne), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Ronnie Wood (The Rolling Stones), Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins), Travis Barker (Blink-182), Tobias Forge (Ghost), Sammy Hagar (Van Halen), plus many more outstanding artists.
The one-time display honouring the first anniversary of “Back To The Beginning” launched on Friday, July 3. Photographers Ross Halfin and Mark “WEISSGUY” Weiss took the pictures. The Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street and the “Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero” exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery were both organised and commissioned by Central BID, the Business Improvement District for the city’s primary retail and hospitality district. The proprietors of Bullring and Grand Central, Hammerson, have donated the space. Along with Ozzy‘s legendary throne from the final concert, which is currently on display at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, it is free to visit and is expected to be one of the highlights of Birmingham’s summer.
We’re delighted to bring this incredible exhibition to honor Ozzy Osbourne and BLACK SABBATH in their beloved home city with images from two of the most renowned rock photographers in the world, Mark ‘WEISSGUY’ Weiss and Ross Halfin. It celebrates our local heroes and the world’s greatest rock stars and, working together with Bullring and Grand Central, we hope it will attract even more music fans to visit Birmingham and enjoy its rich musical heritage as the birthplace of heavy metal. – Sam Watson, Central BID chair
‘Back To The Beginning’ was a truly historic moment for Birmingham and for music fans around the world. We’re delighted to host this free-to-view exhibition at Grand Central, giving visitors a unique opportunity to relive that incredible event and experience a celebration of some of rock’s most iconic artists in the heart of the city. – Dan Murphy, Bullring destination director
