For many rock and metal music fans around the world, July now carries an association with two significant events within those genres: the Birmingham homecoming of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath for their final show Back to the Beginning, as well as Ozzy Osbourne’s passing only 16 days later.

On the first-year anniversary of Ozzy Osbourne’s death, Dr Asya Draganova, Senior Lecturer in Popular Music Culture at Birmingham City University, gives her thoughts on the singer's legacy, alongside his impact on the cultural heritage of Birmingham, which recently announced their first 'Ozzy Day' celebrations on 22 July.

“His main legacy is his authenticity which remained until his passing - his honesty, openness and humour made him an irresistible figure in popular culture," says Dr Draganova.

She added: “It’s clear that the ongoing tributes to him, as well as the echoing significance of his final performance with Black Sabbath, have become organic leaders of transformation for the city of Birmingham, which is becoming more and more aware of the possibilities for developing its cultural signature and placing music right at the centre of it.

“The bench on the Black Sabbath Bridge has become a place of pilgrimage and a permanent impromptu shrine in Ozzy’s memory, but I believe there is a case for a more permanent space dedicated to him and Sabbath, and their remarkable music heritage.

“Over the last year, I’ve discussed Ozzy’s legacy with musicians, cultural activists and industry figures, and one thing has emerged; Ozzy remains a symbol from which we will all continue to draw inspiration from, long into the future.”