Birmingham Honors Ozzy Osbourne With Final Procession/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Birmingham paid tribute to legendary Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse passed through the city. Thousands gathered along Broad Street, celebrating the life of the “Prince of Darkness” with chants and flowers. Osbourne’s legacy as a heavy metal pioneer remains deeply rooted in his hometown.
Ozzy Osbourne Memorial – Quick Looks
- Thousands of fans lined Birmingham’s Broad Street to honor Ozzy Osbourne
- Osbourne’s hearse stopped at the Black Sabbath bench, unveiled in 2019
- Chant of “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi” echoed in the streets
- Family, including wife Sharon Osbourne, followed the hearse in six vehicles
- City official: “Ozzy was more than a music legend—he was a son of Birmingham”
- Black Sabbath awarded Freedom of the City earlier this year
- Osbourne credited with shaping heavy metal from Birmingham’s working-class roots
- Suffered from Parkinson’s since 2019, died at age 76
- Band sold over 75 million albums, globally influential since debut in 1970
- Reality show “The Osbournes” introduced him to a new generation
Deep Look: Birmingham Pays Tribute to Metal Legend Ozzy Osbourne
BIRMINGHAM, England — July 30, 2025
The city of Birmingham, widely known as the birthplace of heavy metal, came to a solemn standstill Wednesday as thousands of fans gathered to honor Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, during a public funeral procession through the streets of his hometown.
The hearse carrying Osbourne’s body slowly made its way down Broad Street, escorted by six vehicles carrying his family. The procession stopped at the Black Sabbath bench, a landmark on the city’s canal bridge unveiled in 2019, which has become a site of pilgrimage for fans since Osbourne’s death last week at age 76.
Cries of “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi” rang out across the street as the vehicle approached, a final chant for the man whose voice helped shape an entire genre of music.
A City Remembers Its Son
“Ozzy was more than a music legend — he was a son of Birmingham,” said Zafar Iqbal, a Birmingham city official. “We know how much this moment will mean to his fans.”
Mourners from across generations gathered—children, teenagers, adults, and seniors—many clad in vintage Black Sabbath shirts, leather jackets, and rock memorabilia. Some traveled from abroad, underscoring the global impact of Osbourne’s music and persona.
Fans left flowers, handwritten notes, and candles along the bridge. Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife of 43 years, was visibly emotional as she stepped out briefly to acknowledge the crowd.
Black Sabbath’s Roots in Birmingham
Formed in Birmingham in 1968, Black Sabbath’s original lineup included Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Terence “Geezer” Butler, and Bill Ward. Their shared working-class upbringing and the city’s industrial backdrop informed the raw, heavy sound that would define the genre of heavy metal.
Their self-titled debut album, released in 1970, climbed the U.K. charts and paved the way for landmark albums such as “Master of Reality” and “Vol. 4.” With their dark, distorted guitar riffs and haunting lyrics, Black Sabbath struck a chord with a generation navigating post-war uncertainty and working-class struggle.
Osbourne became the band’s face, known for his distinctive voice, outlandish behavior, and no-holds-barred live performances. He was also infamously dubbed the “Prince of Darkness”, a title he both embraced and parodied throughout his career.
A Global Metal Icon and Reality Star
After being dismissed from Black Sabbath in 1979, Osbourne launched a highly successful solo career, releasing multiple platinum albums and continuing to tour for decades. In the 2000s, he experienced a pop culture resurgence through the hit MTV reality series “The Osbournes”, which featured his family and introduced him to a younger generation.
Despite his battle with Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in 2019, Osbourne performed publicly as recently as July 5, 2025. At Villa Park, the home stadium of Aston Villa Football Club, 42,000 fans watched him deliver a final performance, seated on a black throne and backed by his Black Sabbath bandmates.
A Farewell From the City of Metal
In a symbolic gesture earlier this year, Birmingham awarded Black Sabbath the Freedom of the City, its highest civic honor. Wednesday’s procession solidified Osbourne’s place in Birmingham’s cultural and musical history, one rooted deeply in factory grit and working-class pride.
Longtime fan Antony Hunt, who attended the procession, called the day “emotional.”
“What’s amazing is seeing all these age groups here,” Hunt said. “It shows Ozzy touched generations, and his legacy won’t be forgotten.”
As the hearse passed into the distance, many in the crowd remained behind, sharing stories, playing Sabbath songs from portable speakers, and reflecting on the life of a man whose voice had become a symbol of rebellion, power, and endurance.
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