Ozzy Osbourne dead: Family statement in full as music mourns legend
The family of Ozzy Osbourne have confirmed that he passed away earlier today, less than three weeks after his farewell gig with Black Sabbath.
His wife Sharon Osbourne and his children released a joint statement this evening. The statement was signed by his wife Sharon, whom he wed in 1982, as well as his children Jack Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Aimee Osbourne and Louis Osbourne.
The statement from his family said: "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis."
Ozzy, who has battled health problems over the years, made his final appearance on stage just over a fortnight ago, reports the Mirror.
He performed at Villa Park stadium in Birmingham on July 5 as part of the star-studded Back to the Beginning concert.
The sold-out charity event, which had been announced in February, marked the reunion of Ozzy and his former bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, who are the original members of Black Sabbath.
It had also been described as Ozzy's "final performance" before retirement.
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The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
Birmingham says final goodbye to Ozzy Osbourne
Thousands of fans lined the streets of Birmingham to pay their final respects to Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne during his funeral procession on Wednesday. The hearse, adorned with purple flowers spelling 'Ozzy', travelled from his childhood home in Aston to Broad Street, where fans had gathered. Admirers, some who had waited overnight, chanted 'Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy', with many climbing structures for a better view of the cortege. The procession was accompanied by Bostin Brass playing Osbourne's iconic music, and family members, including wife Sharon Osbourne, viewed tributes at the Black Sabbath bench. Attendees of all ages highlighted Osbourne's impact as a working-class hero and a significant figure for Birmingham and the heavy metal world. 'Ozzy Osbourne was the best of us': Thousands turn out in Birmingham to bid farewell to the prince of darkness
The Guardian
3 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Fans line streets of Birmingham to say farewell to Ozzy Osbourne
Thousands of fans lined the streets of Birmingham to watch Ozzy Osbourne make his final journey through his home city, with his tearful family laying tributes as crowds chanted the late singer's name. A hearse carrying Osbourne, who died last week aged 76, made its way through the city centre on Wednesday afternoon on the way to his private funeral. The procession stopped on 'Black Sabbath bridge', where his family members placed roses among the hundreds of tributes left for the heavy metal pioneer in front of the bench depicting the band. A visibly emotional Sharon, who was married to Osbourne for 43 years, was aided by her children, Aimee, Kelly and Jack, as she tearfully took in the sea of tributes, and signalled a peace sign to the crowd before leaving. They were joined by a number of family members, including some of Osbourne's grandchildren, who waved to the crowds offering their support. People could be seen leaning out of windows, and climbing on top of walls and bus stops, to catch a glimpse of the Prince of Darkness's funeral cortege. His coffin began its journey in Aston in the north of the city, passing Osbourne's childhood home on Lodge Road and the football stadium Villa Park, where he performed a huge farewell concert with his Black Sabbath bandmates just weeks ago. People chanted his name, held up rock hand gestures, and threw roses at the hearse carrying his coffin adorned with purple flowers spelling out 'Ozzy'. A local brass band, Bostin Brass, played songs including Black Sabbath's Iron Man ahead of the procession of vehicles. In an interview in 2011, Osbourne said he didn't care what music was played at his funeral, as long as it was 'a celebration, not a mope-fest', and the atmosphere along Broad Street seemed to reflect his wishes. Will Howell, an 18-year-old student, said Osbourne was 'a legend, so you know, you gotta go and say goodbye to him'. 'I got up at six in the morning to go to work, to come here early so I could get here and see it,' he said. He has been listening to Osbourne's music since his dad introduced it to him aged eight. 'Probably not the best age,' he said. 'Ozzy changed music a lot, even inside of metal, and I think it's just good to say goodbye to him.' Marco, from Verona, Italy, and member of a band called Witch Ghetto, said he discovered Black Sabbath 20 years ago and 'it really struck a chord'. 'They were probably pioneers without knowing they were. They just wanted to play music and have fun and follow their instincts and that's probably the best thing you can do when you play music,' he said. Will Taylor, a musician from Chesterfield, said it was a 'no brainer' to come to the city to watch the funeral procession with his wife and dog. He is a massive fan of Black Sabbath, and Osbourne's collaborations with the American guitarist Randy Rhoads, who died in a plane crash while on tour with Osbourne in 1982. 'A bit of me thinks if there's something after death, then Ozzy is with Rhoads looking down wherever they are,' he said. Osbourne was the lead singer of Black Sabbath, who formed in Birmingham in 1968 and were widely credited with defining and popularising heavy metal music. Earlier this year Osbourne and his bandmates – Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – were given the freedom of the city of Birmingham to recognise their 'exceptional service to the city'. Osbourne's health declined in recent years, and he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. He appeared for a surprise performance at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Birmingham in 2022, and performed his last gig on 5 July in a farewell concert at Villa Park fearing global metal stars such as Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses.
Western Telegraph
10 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Ozzy Osbourne procession ‘fitting tribute to working class hero'
Sharon Osbourne and the couple's children could be seen wiping away tears when they arrived at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers had been left. Councillor Zafar Iqbal said it was 'very emotional' to see Sharon, 72, and the family at the event, which drew huge crowds who chanted 'Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi'. The family of Ozzy Osbourne, Jack and Kelly Osbourne, embrace as they view the messages and floral tributes left at the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Street in Birmingham (Joe Giddens/PA) Mr Iqbal hugged Sharon after she arrived in Broad Street alongside Osbourne's hearse on Wednesday afternoon, but told the PA news agency he wanted to keep what they said to each other private. He said: 'It was a very emotional thing when she came out of the car, I hugged her and she hugged me, it was a private moment. 'It was incredibly emotional for me to see her and the family. They are such a loving family and you can see how loving they are. 'I think Ozzy was so cared for, and the love they showed, the fans showed, and the city showed him today was incredible. 'This is our city, this is the greatest city in the world and this is what we can do.' Mr Iqbal added: 'It was very emotional and a great turnout with thousands of fans lining the streets. 'It was well organised, we looked after all the fans and I think it was a fitting tribute to a legend who was a Brummie through and through. 'Like his final gig, he came back home and we were proud to have him. Sharon and Kelly Osbourne lay flowers at the Black Sabbath Bridge (Joe Giddens/PA) 'I have been here since seven o'clock this morning talking to fans and the emotions were really high, people just loved Ozzy and you could really feel that when you were there. 'I think we should be a really proud city. 'I'm proud that we delivered one of the best send-offs I have seen in my time.' Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates – Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – were recently given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, which recognises people's exceptional service to the city. Mr Iqbal said: 'I got to know him in the last few weeks when we gave him the freedom of the city and he was just so humble, so down to earth. 'He was a working class hero. The hearse carrying Ozzy Osbourne (Joe Giddens/PA) 'I couldn't tell he was a rock star, he was just an ordinary guy, so caring. 'He had working class roots and he loved his fans, he loved his city, he always promoted Birmingham wherever he went, he was proud to have been born in Aston. 'His slogan was 'Birmingham Forever' and that makes me such a proud citizen. 'It was a last hurrah for him today.' Musicians from Bostin Brass played Black Sabbath songs to accompany the cortege, and fans threw flowers at the hearse while it slowly passed through the city on Wednesday. Osbourne, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, died at the age of 76 just over two weeks after Black Sabbath were reunited barely two miles from where they first played together more than 50 years ago. The Back to the Beginning concert on July 5 took place at Villa Park and saw performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses, with Black Sabbath the last to appear on stage.
