Every city around the United Kingdom is brimming with musical talent. Liverpool can boast The Beatles, while Manchester can have their claim to fame with bands such as the Stone Roses and Oasis. However, Birmingham is also no stranger to producing globally recognised talent, as a number of the artists from the city have gone on to sell millions of records around the world. But, which are the biggest Brummie musical acts that we have ever seen?
Ozzy Osbourne
There perhaps isn’t a bigger Brummie musical legend than Ozzy Osbourne himself. Very few artists have been able to transcend a whole genre, but that is exactly what Ozzy did with the formation of Black Sabbath. Many heavy metal bands cite Ozzy and the band as inspirations for their careers.
Black Sabbath had one of the most recognisable sounds throughout their career, and sold over 100 million records during their career. Their success was also marked by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, while Ozzy himself has been inducted in to the WWE Hall of Fame, as well as having his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Roy Wood
Roy Wood was one of the most popular musicians throughout his career, and was co-founder of both the Electric Light Orchestra and Wizard. Throughout his time in all the bands that he helped create, Wood amassed more than 20 singles that appeared in the UK Singles Chart, which also included three number one hits.
Many consider his sound to be one of the most influential throughout the 70s, with the BBC claiming that he had a huge role to play in the glam rock and prog rock movements. Like Ozzy, Wood was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as he was inducted alongside his Electric Light Orchestra band mates in 2017.
Duran Duran
Duran Duran is one of the most iconic groups to have come out of Birmingham, and was one of the great figures behind the second British Invasion on the United States in the 80s. The band is currently made up of Nick Rhodes, Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, and Roger Taylor. Past members included Stephen Duffy, Andy Taylor, and Sterling Campbell.
Duran Duran may have changed line-ups over the years, but the popularity has always been there. They have sold over 100 million records, which ranks them among the best-selling artists in the world. In the UK, they also have 30 songs that have reached the top 40 in the singles chart, and the band also have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Streets
The Streets were one of the most popular bands in the United Kingdom throughout the 2000s. Their releases of Original Pirate Material and A Grand Don’t Come For Free saw them pick up multiple awards. Their releases of a Grand Don’t Come For Free and The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living also gave them number one albums in the United Kingdom.
Dry Your Eyes also gave the group, led by Mike Skinner, a number one single in the UK, while they also had ten other singles that made the top 40 in the charts. The band continues to make music, with their latest release coming in 2020 with None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive.
There perhaps isn’t a bigger Brummie musical legend than Ozzy Osbourne himself. Very few artists have been able to transcend a whole genre, but that is exactly what Ozzy did with the formation of Black Sabbath. Many heavy metal bands cite Ozzy and the band as inspirations for their careers.
Black Sabbath had one of the most recognisable sounds throughout their career, and sold over 100 million records during their career. Their success was also marked by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, while Ozzy himself has been inducted in to the WWE Hall of Fame, as well as having his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Roy Wood
Roy Wood was one of the most popular musicians throughout his career, and was co-founder of both the Electric Light Orchestra and Wizard. Throughout his time in all the bands that he helped create, Wood amassed more than 20 singles that appeared in the UK Singles Chart, which also included three number one hits.
Many consider his sound to be one of the most influential throughout the 70s, with the BBC claiming that he had a huge role to play in the glam rock and prog rock movements. Like Ozzy, Wood was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as he was inducted alongside his Electric Light Orchestra band mates in 2017.
Duran Duran
Duran Duran is one of the most iconic groups to have come out of Birmingham, and was one of the great figures behind the second British Invasion on the United States in the 80s. The band is currently made up of Nick Rhodes, Simon Le Bon, John Taylor, and Roger Taylor. Past members included Stephen Duffy, Andy Taylor, and Sterling Campbell.
Duran Duran may have changed line-ups over the years, but the popularity has always been there. They have sold over 100 million records, which ranks them among the best-selling artists in the world. In the UK, they also have 30 songs that have reached the top 40 in the singles chart, and the band also have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Streets
The Streets were one of the most popular bands in the United Kingdom throughout the 2000s. Their releases of Original Pirate Material and A Grand Don’t Come For Free saw them pick up multiple awards. Their releases of a Grand Don’t Come For Free and The Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living also gave them number one albums in the United Kingdom.
Dry Your Eyes also gave the group, led by Mike Skinner, a number one single in the UK, while they also had ten other singles that made the top 40 in the charts. The band continues to make music, with their latest release coming in 2020 with None of Us Are Getting Out of This Life Alive.
