Fans Bid Farewell To Ozzy Osbourne In Birmingham Procession

Thousands of fans gathered in Birmingham, England, on Wednesday, July 30th, to honor Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman, during a public funeral procession. Osbourne, who passed away on July 22nd at the age of 76, was celebrated as his hearse traveled down Broad Street, stopping at the Black Sabbath bench, a local landmark commemorating the band's roots in the city.

The procession included Osbourne's family, who followed the hearse in six vehicles. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, and children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis, joined the crowd in paying tribute to the "Prince of Darkness." Fans of all ages lined the streets, chanting "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi," and leaving flowers and heartfelt messages at the Black Sabbath bridge. A live brass band, Bostin’ Brass, played "Iron Man" as part of the tribute.

According to CNN, Osbourne's impact on music and Birmingham was profound, with city official Zafar Iqbal stating, "Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham." The city, known as the "home of metal," embraced its heritage as the birthplace of heavy metal, a genre Osbourne helped define with Black Sabbath in the 1970s.

After the public procession, a private funeral service was held in Buckinghamshire, where Osbourne will be laid to rest. The family plans to hold a public memorial and tribute concert in the future to celebrate his life and legacy. Osbourne had expressed his desire for a funeral that was not a "mope-fest," but rather a time to say "thanks," as reported by PEOPLE.

The procession marked a poignant farewell to a music icon who left an indelible mark on the world of rock and heavy metal.