Birmingham, the birthplace of heavy metal, came to a standstill on Wednesday as thousands of fans lined Broad Street to honor its most iconic son—Ozzy Osbourne. The legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, who passed away on July 22, was celebrated with a heartfelt procession through the city he so fiercely loved.
The hearse carrying Osbourne was met with chants of “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi” as it arrived at the Black Sabbath bench—an honorary monument perched on the Broad Street canal bridge since 2019. Behind the hearse followed six cars carrying his family, including wife Sharon and children Jack and Kelly, hand in hand, embodying strength and unity during a deeply emotional moment.
Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal described Ozzy as “more than a music legend—a son of Birmingham,” noting that the city was proud to host this public tribute after recently awarding him the Freedom of the City.
Though a private funeral is planned for close friends and family, the public procession served as a powerful final encore—a moment of gratitude, legacy, and love for a man who redefined music and never forgot where he came from.