Black Sabbath farewell gig becomes feature-length film
Black Sabbath recently performed their final concert at Villa Park in Birmingham - a star-studded event that featured appearances from Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Yungblud and Travis Barker.
The concert is now being transformed into a "big-screen celebration of Ozzy Osbourne and the legacy of Black Sabbath".
"We are excited to announce the theatrical release of Back To The Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow - coming early 2026," a statement on Osbourne's Instagram page says.
"The feature-length concert film will be a big-screen celebration of Ozzy Osbourne and the legacy of Black Sabbath, capturing the raw power and emotional weight of Ozzy's final bow in his hometown of Birmingham."
The film is being billed as a "love letter to Ozzy".
"Presented as a love letter to Ozzy and the pioneering sound of @BlackSabbath, the theatrical release will be a distilled version of the epic all-day event held at Villa Park," the statement says.
"Featuring thunderous performances of War Pigs, Iron Man, Children of the Grave and a show-stopping Paranoid, the film promises a deeply personal and electrifying farewell from the godfather of heavy metal with exclusive behind-the-scenes access and interviews from this iconic live performance."
Yungblud - whose real name is Dominic Harrison - has previously admitted he's "found solace in being similar" to Osbourne.
A long-time fan of the Black Sabbath frontman, the singer paid a glowing tribute to Osbourne ahead of the band's farewell gig at Villa Park.
"Since I can remember, Ozzy has always been a part of my life," Yungblud told The Independent.
"I grew up around rock music, and he was a character to me before I even knew anything about him. I remember his hair, I remember his massive mouth, I remember his glasses from when I was three years old.
"If you know me and my family, we're truly f***ing loud - they used to call us The Osbournes. So, I kind of found solace in being similar to them.
"Growing up watching The Osbournes and the madness, I was always like that. I was always out there and crazy.
"To see someone being so loved and accepted with all their madness … I really found solace in a figure like Ozzy."
Pioneering rock band Black Sabbath's farewell performance will live forever as a "feature-length concert film".
Black Sabbath recently performed their final concert at Villa Park in Birmingham - a star-studded event that featured appearances from Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Yungblud and Travis Barker.
The concert is now being transformed into a "big-screen celebration of Ozzy Osbourne and the legacy of Black Sabbath".
"We are excited to announce the theatrical release of Back To The Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow - coming early 2026," a statement on Osbourne's Instagram page says.
"The feature-length concert film will be a big-screen celebration of Ozzy Osbourne and the legacy of Black Sabbath, capturing the raw power and emotional weight of Ozzy's final bow in his hometown of Birmingham."
The film is being billed as a "love letter to Ozzy".
"Presented as a love letter to Ozzy and the pioneering sound of @BlackSabbath, the theatrical release will be a distilled version of the epic all-day event held at Villa Park," the statement says.
"Featuring thunderous performances of War Pigs, Iron Man, Children of the Grave and a show-stopping Paranoid, the film promises a deeply personal and electrifying farewell from the godfather of heavy metal with exclusive behind-the-scenes access and interviews from this iconic live performance."
Yungblud - whose real name is Dominic Harrison - has previously admitted he's "found solace in being similar" to Osbourne.
A long-time fan of the Black Sabbath frontman, the singer paid a glowing tribute to Osbourne ahead of the band's farewell gig at Villa Park.
"Since I can remember, Ozzy has always been a part of my life," Yungblud told The Independent.
"I grew up around rock music, and he was a character to me before I even knew anything about him. I remember his hair, I remember his massive mouth, I remember his glasses from when I was three years old.
"If you know me and my family, we're truly f***ing loud - they used to call us The Osbournes. So, I kind of found solace in being similar to them.
"Growing up watching The Osbournes and the madness, I was always like that. I was always out there and crazy.
"To see someone being so loved and accepted with all their madness … I really found solace in a figure like Ozzy."
Pioneering rock band Black Sabbath's farewell performance will live forever as a "feature-length concert film".
Black Sabbath recently performed their final concert at Villa Park in Birmingham - a star-studded event that featured appearances from Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Yungblud and Travis Barker.
The concert is now being transformed into a "big-screen celebration of Ozzy Osbourne and the legacy of Black Sabbath".
"We are excited to announce the theatrical release of Back To The Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow - coming early 2026," a statement on Osbourne's Instagram page says.
"The feature-length concert film will be a big-screen celebration of Ozzy Osbourne and the legacy of Black Sabbath, capturing the raw power and emotional weight of Ozzy's final bow in his hometown of Birmingham."
The film is being billed as a "love letter to Ozzy".
"Presented as a love letter to Ozzy and the pioneering sound of @BlackSabbath, the theatrical release will be a distilled version of the epic all-day event held at Villa Park," the statement says.
"Featuring thunderous performances of War Pigs, Iron Man, Children of the Grave and a show-stopping Paranoid, the film promises a deeply personal and electrifying farewell from the godfather of heavy metal with exclusive behind-the-scenes access and interviews from this iconic live performance."
Yungblud - whose real name is Dominic Harrison - has previously admitted he's "found solace in being similar" to Osbourne.
A long-time fan of the Black Sabbath frontman, the singer paid a glowing tribute to Osbourne ahead of the band's farewell gig at Villa Park.
"Since I can remember, Ozzy has always been a part of my life," Yungblud told The Independent.
"I grew up around rock music, and he was a character to me before I even knew anything about him. I remember his hair, I remember his massive mouth, I remember his glasses from when I was three years old.
"If you know me and my family, we're truly f***ing loud - they used to call us The Osbournes. So, I kind of found solace in being similar to them.
"Growing up watching The Osbournes and the madness, I was always like that. I was always out there and crazy.
"To see someone being so loved and accepted with all their madness … I really found solace in a figure like Ozzy."
Pioneering rock band Black Sabbath's farewell performance will live forever as a "feature-length concert film".
Black Sabbath recently performed their final concert at Villa Park in Birmingham - a star-studded event that featured appearances from Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Yungblud and Travis Barker.
The concert is now being transformed into a "big-screen celebration of Ozzy Osbourne and the legacy of Black Sabbath".
"We are excited to announce the theatrical release of Back To The Beginning: Ozzy's Final Bow - coming early 2026," a statement on Osbourne's Instagram page says.
"The feature-length concert film will be a big-screen celebration of Ozzy Osbourne and the legacy of Black Sabbath, capturing the raw power and emotional weight of Ozzy's final bow in his hometown of Birmingham."
The film is being billed as a "love letter to Ozzy".
"Presented as a love letter to Ozzy and the pioneering sound of @BlackSabbath, the theatrical release will be a distilled version of the epic all-day event held at Villa Park," the statement says.
"Featuring thunderous performances of War Pigs, Iron Man, Children of the Grave and a show-stopping Paranoid, the film promises a deeply personal and electrifying farewell from the godfather of heavy metal with exclusive behind-the-scenes access and interviews from this iconic live performance."
Yungblud - whose real name is Dominic Harrison - has previously admitted he's "found solace in being similar" to Osbourne.
A long-time fan of the Black Sabbath frontman, the singer paid a glowing tribute to Osbourne ahead of the band's farewell gig at Villa Park.
"Since I can remember, Ozzy has always been a part of my life," Yungblud told The Independent.
"I grew up around rock music, and he was a character to me before I even knew anything about him. I remember his hair, I remember his massive mouth, I remember his glasses from when I was three years old.
"If you know me and my family, we're truly f***ing loud - they used to call us The Osbournes. So, I kind of found solace in being similar to them.
"Growing up watching The Osbournes and the madness, I was always like that. I was always out there and crazy.
"To see someone being so loved and accepted with all their madness … I really found solace in a figure like Ozzy."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Osbourne fans line Birmingham streets to honour star
Thousands of heavy metal fans have lined the streets of Birmingham for the funeral procession of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who died earlier this month at the age of 76. The cortege of the singer known as the "Prince of Darkness" and the "Godfather of Heavy Metal" was driven through his home city in central England before a private funeral. It stopped at a bench dedicated to the musical pioneers and Osbourne's wife Sharon and their family looked at some of the thousands of flowers and tributes left by fans. The family waved and made peace signs to the crowd. "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi," some fans screamed as the hearse arrived. Osbourne had said he did not want his funeral to be a "mope-fest" and celebration was mixed with sadness on the streets, with a New Orleans-style brass band leading the procession. The hearse carrying Osbourne's coffin passed the star's childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, about 12.45pm on Wednesday on its route into Birmingham city centre. Graham Croucher, a 58-year-old train driver from Northampton, said Osbourne was an "absolute legend". "He was the soundtrack particularly to my life growing up," he said. "Black Sabbath are the originators of heavy metal and made such great music. And he dared to be different because he was different." Since Osbourne's death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has embraced its reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal. "Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham," the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal said. "We know how much this moment will mean to his fans." This month, Osbourne played a final concert in the city where a star-studded line-up featuring Metallica, Slayer, Tool and Guns N' Roses paid tribute to Black Sabbath's legacy. Black Sabbath hits Paranoid, War Pigs and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath made Osbourne a star in the early 1970s and his antics on stage, most famously biting the head off a bat, extended his fame far beyond metal music. In 2002, he won new fans when he starred in US reality TV show The Osbournes with Sharon and two of his children, Jack and Kelly. He died on July 22. No cause of death was given but the star had disclosed a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2020. with AP and PA Thousands of heavy metal fans have lined the streets of Birmingham for the funeral procession of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who died earlier this month at the age of 76. The cortege of the singer known as the "Prince of Darkness" and the "Godfather of Heavy Metal" was driven through his home city in central England before a private funeral. It stopped at a bench dedicated to the musical pioneers and Osbourne's wife Sharon and their family looked at some of the thousands of flowers and tributes left by fans. The family waved and made peace signs to the crowd. "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi," some fans screamed as the hearse arrived. Osbourne had said he did not want his funeral to be a "mope-fest" and celebration was mixed with sadness on the streets, with a New Orleans-style brass band leading the procession. The hearse carrying Osbourne's coffin passed the star's childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, about 12.45pm on Wednesday on its route into Birmingham city centre. Graham Croucher, a 58-year-old train driver from Northampton, said Osbourne was an "absolute legend". "He was the soundtrack particularly to my life growing up," he said. "Black Sabbath are the originators of heavy metal and made such great music. And he dared to be different because he was different." Since Osbourne's death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has embraced its reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal. "Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham," the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal said. "We know how much this moment will mean to his fans." This month, Osbourne played a final concert in the city where a star-studded line-up featuring Metallica, Slayer, Tool and Guns N' Roses paid tribute to Black Sabbath's legacy. Black Sabbath hits Paranoid, War Pigs and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath made Osbourne a star in the early 1970s and his antics on stage, most famously biting the head off a bat, extended his fame far beyond metal music. In 2002, he won new fans when he starred in US reality TV show The Osbournes with Sharon and two of his children, Jack and Kelly. He died on July 22. No cause of death was given but the star had disclosed a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2020. with AP and PA Thousands of heavy metal fans have lined the streets of Birmingham for the funeral procession of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who died earlier this month at the age of 76. The cortege of the singer known as the "Prince of Darkness" and the "Godfather of Heavy Metal" was driven through his home city in central England before a private funeral. It stopped at a bench dedicated to the musical pioneers and Osbourne's wife Sharon and their family looked at some of the thousands of flowers and tributes left by fans. The family waved and made peace signs to the crowd. "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi," some fans screamed as the hearse arrived. Osbourne had said he did not want his funeral to be a "mope-fest" and celebration was mixed with sadness on the streets, with a New Orleans-style brass band leading the procession. The hearse carrying Osbourne's coffin passed the star's childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, about 12.45pm on Wednesday on its route into Birmingham city centre. Graham Croucher, a 58-year-old train driver from Northampton, said Osbourne was an "absolute legend". "He was the soundtrack particularly to my life growing up," he said. "Black Sabbath are the originators of heavy metal and made such great music. And he dared to be different because he was different." Since Osbourne's death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has embraced its reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal. "Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham," the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal said. "We know how much this moment will mean to his fans." This month, Osbourne played a final concert in the city where a star-studded line-up featuring Metallica, Slayer, Tool and Guns N' Roses paid tribute to Black Sabbath's legacy. Black Sabbath hits Paranoid, War Pigs and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath made Osbourne a star in the early 1970s and his antics on stage, most famously biting the head off a bat, extended his fame far beyond metal music. In 2002, he won new fans when he starred in US reality TV show The Osbournes with Sharon and two of his children, Jack and Kelly. He died on July 22. No cause of death was given but the star had disclosed a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2020. with AP and PA Thousands of heavy metal fans have lined the streets of Birmingham for the funeral procession of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who died earlier this month at the age of 76. The cortege of the singer known as the "Prince of Darkness" and the "Godfather of Heavy Metal" was driven through his home city in central England before a private funeral. It stopped at a bench dedicated to the musical pioneers and Osbourne's wife Sharon and their family looked at some of the thousands of flowers and tributes left by fans. The family waved and made peace signs to the crowd. "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi," some fans screamed as the hearse arrived. Osbourne had said he did not want his funeral to be a "mope-fest" and celebration was mixed with sadness on the streets, with a New Orleans-style brass band leading the procession. The hearse carrying Osbourne's coffin passed the star's childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, about 12.45pm on Wednesday on its route into Birmingham city centre. Graham Croucher, a 58-year-old train driver from Northampton, said Osbourne was an "absolute legend". "He was the soundtrack particularly to my life growing up," he said. "Black Sabbath are the originators of heavy metal and made such great music. And he dared to be different because he was different." Since Osbourne's death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has embraced its reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal. "Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham," the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal said. "We know how much this moment will mean to his fans." This month, Osbourne played a final concert in the city where a star-studded line-up featuring Metallica, Slayer, Tool and Guns N' Roses paid tribute to Black Sabbath's legacy. Black Sabbath hits Paranoid, War Pigs and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath made Osbourne a star in the early 1970s and his antics on stage, most famously biting the head off a bat, extended his fame far beyond metal music. In 2002, he won new fans when he starred in US reality TV show The Osbournes with Sharon and two of his children, Jack and Kelly. He died on July 22. No cause of death was given but the star had disclosed a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2020. with AP and PA
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Home of metal' gathers to farewell Ozzy Osbourne
The "home of metal" is gearing up to honour one of its most cherished sons. Thousands of Black Sabbath fans will pay their respects on Wednesday to frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse makes its way through the streets of Birmingham, the English city where he grew up and where the band was formed in 1968. The hearse carrying Osbourne, who died last Tuesday at age 76, will make its way down the city's major thoroughfare of Broad Street to the Black Sabbath bench, which was unveiled on the Broad Street canal bridge in 2019. Family members are expected to watch the cortege, which will be accompanied by a live brass band. Since his death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has over the decades embraced its reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal. Among his peers, Osbourne was metal's godfather. "Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham," Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal said, adding "we know how much this moment will mean to his fans". The main street closed to through traffic on Wednesday morning and will only reopen after the funeral finishes. Osbourne and his Black Sabbath band mates, Terence Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, were recently awarded the Freedom of the City in recognition of their services to Birmingham. The group has been widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne was the band's frontman during its peak period in the 1970s and was widely known as the "Prince of Darkness". His antics, on and off stage, were legendary, and often fuelled by copious amounts of drinks and drugs. Sabbath's story began in Birmingham in 1968 when the four original members were looking to escape a life of factory work. Their eponymous debut album in 1970 made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit albums, including 1971's Master of Reality and Vol. 4 a year later. They went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands ever, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. At their final show on July 5, 42,000 fans watched the band perform for the first time in 20 years at Villa Park, home of the city's biggest football club Aston Villa, with Osbourne seated on a black throne. Osbourne had been in poor health in recent years, especially after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans in the early 2000s reality show The Osbournes in which he starred alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. The "home of metal" is gearing up to honour one of its most cherished sons. Thousands of Black Sabbath fans will pay their respects on Wednesday to frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse makes its way through the streets of Birmingham, the English city where he grew up and where the band was formed in 1968. The hearse carrying Osbourne, who died last Tuesday at age 76, will make its way down the city's major thoroughfare of Broad Street to the Black Sabbath bench, which was unveiled on the Broad Street canal bridge in 2019. Family members are expected to watch the cortege, which will be accompanied by a live brass band. Since his death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has over the decades embraced its reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal. Among his peers, Osbourne was metal's godfather. "Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham," Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal said, adding "we know how much this moment will mean to his fans". The main street closed to through traffic on Wednesday morning and will only reopen after the funeral finishes. Osbourne and his Black Sabbath band mates, Terence Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, were recently awarded the Freedom of the City in recognition of their services to Birmingham. The group has been widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne was the band's frontman during its peak period in the 1970s and was widely known as the "Prince of Darkness". His antics, on and off stage, were legendary, and often fuelled by copious amounts of drinks and drugs. Sabbath's story began in Birmingham in 1968 when the four original members were looking to escape a life of factory work. Their eponymous debut album in 1970 made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit albums, including 1971's Master of Reality and Vol. 4 a year later. They went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands ever, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. At their final show on July 5, 42,000 fans watched the band perform for the first time in 20 years at Villa Park, home of the city's biggest football club Aston Villa, with Osbourne seated on a black throne. Osbourne had been in poor health in recent years, especially after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans in the early 2000s reality show The Osbournes in which he starred alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. The "home of metal" is gearing up to honour one of its most cherished sons. Thousands of Black Sabbath fans will pay their respects on Wednesday to frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse makes its way through the streets of Birmingham, the English city where he grew up and where the band was formed in 1968. The hearse carrying Osbourne, who died last Tuesday at age 76, will make its way down the city's major thoroughfare of Broad Street to the Black Sabbath bench, which was unveiled on the Broad Street canal bridge in 2019. Family members are expected to watch the cortege, which will be accompanied by a live brass band. Since his death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has over the decades embraced its reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal. Among his peers, Osbourne was metal's godfather. "Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham," Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal said, adding "we know how much this moment will mean to his fans". The main street closed to through traffic on Wednesday morning and will only reopen after the funeral finishes. Osbourne and his Black Sabbath band mates, Terence Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, were recently awarded the Freedom of the City in recognition of their services to Birmingham. The group has been widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne was the band's frontman during its peak period in the 1970s and was widely known as the "Prince of Darkness". His antics, on and off stage, were legendary, and often fuelled by copious amounts of drinks and drugs. Sabbath's story began in Birmingham in 1968 when the four original members were looking to escape a life of factory work. Their eponymous debut album in 1970 made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit albums, including 1971's Master of Reality and Vol. 4 a year later. They went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands ever, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. At their final show on July 5, 42,000 fans watched the band perform for the first time in 20 years at Villa Park, home of the city's biggest football club Aston Villa, with Osbourne seated on a black throne. Osbourne had been in poor health in recent years, especially after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans in the early 2000s reality show The Osbournes in which he starred alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. The "home of metal" is gearing up to honour one of its most cherished sons. Thousands of Black Sabbath fans will pay their respects on Wednesday to frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse makes its way through the streets of Birmingham, the English city where he grew up and where the band was formed in 1968. The hearse carrying Osbourne, who died last Tuesday at age 76, will make its way down the city's major thoroughfare of Broad Street to the Black Sabbath bench, which was unveiled on the Broad Street canal bridge in 2019. Family members are expected to watch the cortege, which will be accompanied by a live brass band. Since his death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has over the decades embraced its reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal. Among his peers, Osbourne was metal's godfather. "Ozzy was more than a music legend - he was a son of Birmingham," Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal said, adding "we know how much this moment will mean to his fans". The main street closed to through traffic on Wednesday morning and will only reopen after the funeral finishes. Osbourne and his Black Sabbath band mates, Terence Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, were recently awarded the Freedom of the City in recognition of their services to Birmingham. The group has been widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne was the band's frontman during its peak period in the 1970s and was widely known as the "Prince of Darkness". His antics, on and off stage, were legendary, and often fuelled by copious amounts of drinks and drugs. Sabbath's story began in Birmingham in 1968 when the four original members were looking to escape a life of factory work. Their eponymous debut album in 1970 made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit albums, including 1971's Master of Reality and Vol. 4 a year later. They went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands ever, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. At their final show on July 5, 42,000 fans watched the band perform for the first time in 20 years at Villa Park, home of the city's biggest football club Aston Villa, with Osbourne seated on a black throne. Osbourne had been in poor health in recent years, especially after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans in the early 2000s reality show The Osbournes in which he starred alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack.
The Age
6 hours ago
- The Age
Fans scream ‘Ozzy, Ozzy' as late singer tours hometown for final time
Thousands of heavy metal fans lined the streets of Birmingham on Wednesday for the funeral procession of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who died last week at the age of 76. The cortège of the Prince of Darkness was driven through his home city in central England before a private funeral, stopping at a bench dedicated to the band on the Broad Street canal bridge, along the city's major thoroughfare. 'Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi,' fans screamed as the hearse arrived. Six vehicles carrying the Osbourne family, who paid for the procession, followed. The family emerged briefly, with his wife of 43 years, Sharon, visibly moved. The family waved and made peace signs to the crowd. Osbourne had said he did not want his funeral to be a 'mope-fest', and celebration was mixed with sadness on the streets, with a New Orleans-style brass band leading the procession. Graham Croucher, a 58-year-old train driver from Northampton, said Osbourne was an 'absolute legend'. 'He was the soundtrack particularly to my life growing up,' he said. 'Black Sabbath are the originators of heavy metal and made such great music. And he dared to be different because he was different.'
