BIRMINGHAM, England (BN24) — Thousands of fans filled the streets of Birmingham on Tuesday to honor Ozzy Osbourne during a final hometown procession that paid tribute to the legendary heavy metal frontman, who died last week at 76.
Shouts of “We love you, Ozzy!” echoed as his hearse paused at the now-iconic Black Sabbath Bridge—named for the band that launched the Prince of Darkness into global stardom. The bridge has become a gathering point for grieving fans since news of Osbourne’s death broke.
Osbourne’s wife, Sharon, and children Jack, Kelly, and Aimee walked solemnly through the crowds, pausing to take in the tributes of flowers, handwritten notes, and memorabilia. Each family member carried a pink rose wrapped in black paper and tied with a purple ribbon—Black Sabbath’s signature colors.
Sharon Osbourne, visibly emotional, gave the crowd a peace sign through tears before rejoining the procession. Purple flowers spelling out “Ozzy” were visible in the hearse as the cortege continued past his childhood home in Aston, a modest house that shaped the man who would one day define heavy metal.
Just weeks before his passing, Osbourne gave a surprise final performance at Villa Park, joined by artists inspired by his music, including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and Yungblud. His influence was felt citywide on Tuesday, as pubs blasted his music on loudspeakers and posters proclaimed: “Birmingham will always love you.”
For fans, the day was not only a farewell but a celebration of Osbourne’s unwavering connection to his roots. Despite decades spent in Los Angeles, the singer frequently spoke of his love for Birmingham, a city he credited for shaping his identity.
Graham Wright, a longtime roadie who toured with Black Sabbath since the 1970s, described the farewell as deeply emotional. “He wasn’t the Prince of Darkness to us,” Wright told Sky News. “He was the Prince of Laughter. That’s who he really was. He made people laugh as much as he made them scream.”
At The Brasshouse pub next to Black Sabbath Bridge, general manager Chris Mason said Ozzy’s music had been played non-stop since his passing. “Ozzy was the godfather of heavy metal. He brought people together—he was Birmingham,” Mason said.
Mohabbat Ali, who grew up near Osbourne’s childhood home, shared a memory of the young musician. “He’d play guitar loudly at night, but my mum always said he was a lovely boy,” Ali recalled.
Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, also paid tribute, saying Osbourne was “a true legend who never forgot where he came from.” Iqbal said Osbourne once wrote him a personal letter after learning they shared the experience of struggling with dyslexia. “I have it framed in my office,” Iqbal said. “That was Ozzy—humble, down-to-earth, and human.”
From Aston to arenas worldwide, Ozzy Osbourne’s voice and persona shaped generations of rock and metal. But for Birmingham, he will always be remembered as one of their own.
