Heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath are poised to receive the Freedom of Birmingham, with Sharon Osbourne revealing her husband Ozzy is “dying to come home” for the ceremony. The prestigious civic honour will recognize the band’s monumental contribution to music and Birmingham’s cultural heritage.

The award, which requires approval from two-thirds of city councillors at a special meeting today, would be bestowed upon all four founding members: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. The legendary group formed in Birmingham’s Aston district in 1968 and went on to revolutionize rock music.

“He couldn’t be happier right now,” Sharon Osbourne told BBC Radio WM, explaining that despite living in America, Ozzy has remained “just Ozzy from Brum” at heart. “It’s his blood, that’s who he is, and he’s never tried to be anything else.”

Jim Simpson, the band’s first manager who now runs Big Bear Records at 87, offered unique insight into their legacy: “They single-handedly invented a style of heavy rock which has inspired eight or ten other forms of heavy rock. Not many bands can claim that. Ask yourself who is the most famous Brummie of all time? I think it’s Ozzy.”

The timing is particularly poignant, coming after what Sharon describes as a “really tough” six years with Ozzy’s health. The honour would add to recent tributes to the band in their hometown, including a mechanical bull named after Osbourne unveiled at New Street Station last year.

The same council meeting will also consider awarding the Freedom of the City to the late Benjamin Zephaniah, the celebrated Handsworth-born poet and Peaky Blinders actor who recently passed away. His brother Tippa Naphtali noted that Zephaniah “always saw himself as a son of Birmingham.”

The Freedom of the City represents Birmingham’s highest civic honour, reserved for individuals or organizations who have provided exceptional service to the city.