Thousands of fans gathered in Birmingham on Wednesday to bid a heartfelt farewell to rock legend and hometown hero Ozzy Osbourne, who was laid to rest in an emotional public procession through the city where his musical journey began. The Black Sabbath frontman, famously known as the “Prince of Darkness,” died on July 22 at the age of 76, just 17 days after his final electrifying performance in front of a sold-out crowd in the city. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, Osbourne’s death marked the end of an era in heavy metal.
The funeral procession, which began at noon GMT, followed a route that included stops at significant landmarks from Osbourne’s early life, including his childhood home in Aston. Fans lined the streets chanting his name, some in tears, others proudly celebrating the legacy of a man who helped define a genre. A local brass band, Bostin’ Brass, played live as the black Jaguar hearse passed by, while emotional tributes poured in from fans and city officials alike. At the Black Sabbath Bridge, family members including his widow Sharon Osbourne laid flowers and paused to read tributes left by fans.
“Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham,” said Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal. “It was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute.” Osbourne, whose wild antics and larger-than-life stage presence defined rock excess, rose to fame with Black Sabbath’s groundbreaking 1970 debut and helped propel the band to sell over 75 million records globally. Though often mired in controversy—including the infamous moment he bit the head off a bat onstage—Osbourne’s impact on music and pop culture was undeniable. He was twice inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, both as part of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist.