In a heartfelt tribute, thousands of fans filled the streets of Birmingham to honor Ozzy Osbourne during his final journey through his beloved city. Mourners cheered and chanted the rock legend’s name as his family laid floral tributes.
A hearse carrying the iconic singer, who passed away last week at the age of 76, made its way through Birmingham’s city center on Wednesday afternoon, en route to a private funeral. The procession paused at “Black Sabbath Bridge,” where family members placed roses among countless tributes left by devoted fans in front of a bench commemorating the legendary band.
Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife of 43 years, was visibly emotional as she was supported by their children, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. She took a moment to acknowledge the crowd, flashing a peace sign while taking in the sea of flowers and messages.
Family members, including some of Osbourne’s grandchildren, waved to the gathering crowd as many onlookers climbed buildings and bus stops to catch a glimpse of the singer’s funeral procession.
Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
The journey began in Aston, near Osbourne’s childhood home, passing by Villa Park, the venue for a massive farewell concert with Black Sabbath just weeks earlier. Fans shouted his name, displayed rock hand gestures, and tossed roses at the hearse, which was adorned with purple flowers spelling out “Ozzy.”
The local brass band, Bostin Brass, played tunes including Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” as the procession moved forward. Reflecting on his wishes, Osbourne had previously expressed a desire for his funeral to be a celebration rather than a somber occasion, and that sentiment was palpable along Broad Street.
Will Howell, an 18-year-old student, shared his thoughts: “Ozzy was a legend. I woke up at six to be here. His music has meant so much to me since my dad introduced me to it when I was eight.”
Paul Allen, a 58-year-old musician from Birmingham, described Osbourne as “a great ambassador” for the city, acknowledging the imperfections in everyone’s lives and expressing sadness at the loss of such a vibrant figure. “It’s heartbreaking. I can’t believe he’s gone,” he said.
Will Taylor, a musician from Chesterfield, attended the procession with his wife and dog, feeling a strong connection to Osbourne and his music, especially the works created with guitarist Randy Rhoads, who tragically passed away in a plane crash in 1982. He added, “If there’s something after death, I like to think Ozzy is up there with Rhoads.”
Osbourne, known as the lead singer of Black Sabbath since their formation in Birmingham in 1968, played a crucial role in defining heavy metal music. Earlier this year, he and his bandmates received the freedom of the city of Birmingham in recognition of their contributions.
In recent years, Osbourne faced health challenges, including a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2019. He made a surprise appearance at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in 2022 and delivered his last performance on July 5, a farewell concert at Villa Park featuring stars like Anthrax, Metallica, and Guns N’ RosesThousands Gather in Birmingham to Bid Farewell to Ozzy Osbourne
In a heartfelt tribute, thousands of fans lined the streets of Birmingham to honor Ozzy Osbourne during his final journey through his beloved city. The crowd cheered and chanted the rock legend’s name as his family laid floral tributes along the route.
A hearse carrying the iconic singer, who passed away last week at the age of 76, made its way through Birmingham’s city center on Wednesday afternoon, en route to a private funeral. The procession paused at “Black Sabbath Bridge,” where family members placed roses among the countless tributes left by devoted fans in front of a bench dedicated to the legendary band.
Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife of 43 years, was visibly emotional as she was supported by their children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. She took a moment to acknowledge the crowd, flashing a peace sign and taking in the sea of flowers and heartfelt messages.
Family members, including some of Osbourne’s grandchildren, waved to the gathering fans, many of whom climbed buses and buildings to get a better view of the funeral procession.
The journey began in Aston, near Osbourne’s childhood home, passing by Villa Park, where he held a massive farewell concert with Black Sabbath just weeks prior. Fans shouted his name, displayed rock hand gestures, and tossed roses at the hearse adorned with purple flowers spelling out “Ozzy.”
In recent years, Osbourne faced health challenges, including a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2019. He made a surprise appearance at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in 2022 and delivered his last performance on July 5 at a farewell concert in Villa Park featuring stars like Anthrax, Metallica, and Guns N’ Roses.
