Hundreds in Birmingham for Ozzy Osbourne memorial as rock pilgrims hail 'number one'

Yahoo

a day ago

Hundreds of Ozzy Osbourne fans gathered in Birmingham city centre this afternoon, July 26, to remember the Birmingham superstar and music legend.
Heavy metal fans and shocked members of the public have filed into the city to visit murals and memorials since news of the Black Sabbath frontman's death broke on Tuesday night.
BirminghamLive spent Saturday afternoon in Victoria Square with gutted fans who travelled from across the country, some for more than three hours, to remember the Prince of Darkness.
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Ozzy died on Tuesday, July 22 at 76, just weeks after his final show at Villa Park Stadium - sparking an outpouring of grief among Birmingham's communities and all over the world.
Look through our photo story below from the memorial.
READ MORE: Crowds gather for Ozzy Osbourne memorial in Birmingham city centre
But Brummies will always claim Ozzy as their own, he's part of the city culture and forged a career that gave the world so much more than just heavy metal.
Rock pilgrims were out in force on Saturday, communing with flowers, drinks and memories as old friends met and new connections were made.
The sun shone as many hugged each other and chants of "Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy Oy Oy Oy" could be heard above the crowds.
Joining the many young and old fans clutching a bunch of flowers, Leigh Gittus, from Cannock, said: "It felt important to come, I can't explain why it feels like we've lost a member of the family; even though we've never met him.
"It's more the influence they've had on the bands we listened to growing up."
Gaz Morgan, who plays in a band called The Dead List with Leigh, added: "It felt like a weight, everyone was in tears. I got the phone call and felt cold, I don't want to get like this over celebrities but this is just different."
Gaz, an Aston Villa season ticket holder said their whole group went to the Back to the Beginning show and "cried all the way through."
A group of three friends, Joe, Zak and Elisa told us: 'We're gutted its up and down, the last time we were here was for the gig, enjoying the music and now weeks later we're here for the memorial we just can't believe it.'
Mike Coyle, from Manchester, said he had worn a Black Sabbath t-shirt every day since hearing the news.
"He gave us an identity," said Mike. Friend Johna Curtis added: "The first time I saw Ozzy live was in 1998 when I was 16, I've been a fan ever since, Ozzy created all of this, I just came here to pay respects."
You can watch the full interview with Johna and Mike in the video at the top of this article.
Also out in solidarity and remembrance were father and son Marc and John James, from Acocks Green.
"We've come to pay our respects and lay flowers he was the master of heavy metal, we've just gone and signed the book of condolences. They should build a statue of him" said John.
Marc added: 'I was shocked. He always will be number one.'
Travelling from Bristol was Fanni Meszaros and husband Ivan Troncoso.
Fanni said: "I love Ozzy, it is so emotional that many people came, we live in Bristol but it is an important day. It was heart-breaking I never expected to cry from someone's death like this but I did."
Kings Norton brothers Oli and Greg Blackburn spoke of how Ozzy was a "pillar of Birmingham's culture."
'He's a constant and the fact he's gone makes it difficult he transcended metal, it's hitting us. Greg was the catalyst for me' said Oli, 27.
Greg, 30, added: 'He was such a very dedicated and passionate man, it was special to witness the Prince of Darkness there for us.'
The pair saw Black Sabbath perform in 2013 in Birmingham, as Oli recalled: 'My fondest memory of that gig in 2013 was Ozzy shouting I can't f*****g hear you down the mic, it was wonderful.'