Ozzy Osbourne fans to line streets to say emotional goodbye to Black Sabbath icon
Ozzy Osbourne fans are set to pay their respects to the heavy metal legend in a procession taking place in his home city of Birmingham.
The Black Sabbath frontman, who performed a farewell gig in the city earlier in the month, passed away at the age of 76 last Tuesday. The hearse carrying Osbourne will travel down Broad Street to the Black Sabbath bench and bridge from around 1pm on Wednesday.
His family members are expected to observe the cortege, which will be accompanied by a live brass band. Supporters have left touching messages and floral tributes around the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street in recent days to honour the heavy metal icon who was born in the Aston area of Birmingham.
Members of the public have also signed a book of condolences, opened by Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery, which is currently hosting an exhibition titled Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero. Whilst organising the procession, Birmingham City Council worked alongside the Osbourne family, who funded all of the associated costs.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, said: " Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham. Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral.
"We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves."
Broad Street will be shut to through traffic from 7am with buses and trams rerouted during this period before the road reopens once the event concludes. Osbourne and his Black Sabbath colleagues – Terence "Geezer" Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – were recently awarded the freedom of Birmingham, which honours individuals for their outstanding contribution to the city.
The band, which came together in 1968, are widely recognised as pioneers who shaped and brought heavy metal to the masses. Osbourne, who also enjoyed a thriving solo career, discovered a fresh army of admirers when he starred in the noughties reality programme The Osbournes, featuring his wife Sharon and youngest children, Kelly and Jack.
The rock legend, who received a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2019, delivered his final performance on July 5 at a show that also featured acts including Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses.
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