Latest news with #BlackSabbath
Hindustan Times
14 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Ozzy Osbourne fans line Birmingham streets to honour Black Sabbath star
By Marissa Davison Ozzy Osbourne fans line Birmingham streets to honour Black Sabbath star BIRMINGHAM, England, - Thousands of heavy metal fans lined the streets of Birmingham on Wednesday 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, many of whom chanted "Ozzy, Ozzy". 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." 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 U.S. 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. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NBC News
14 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Birmingham, the home of metal, honors Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse makes way through city
The "home of metal" is honoring one of its most cherished sons. Thousands of Black Sabbath fans were paying their respects Wednesday to frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse made 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 the age of 76, was making its way down Broad Street, the city's major thoroughfare, to the Black Sabbath bench, which was unveiled on the Broad Street canal bridge in 2019. '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. Since his death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has 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,' said city official Zafar Iqbal. 'We know how much this moment will mean to his fans.' Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates, Terence Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, were recently awarded the Freedom of the City in recognition of their services to Birmingham. 'I think he really impacted everyone here, especially in Birmingham as well,' said fan Evie Mayo. 'Now that he's not here anymore, you can feel the impact of it. He inspired a lot of people and he was a great person.' Black Sabbath's story began in Birmingham in 1968 when the four original members were looking to escape a life of factory work. Without doubt, the sound and fury of heavy metal had its roots in the city's manufacturing heritage. Osbourne never forgot his working-class roots, and his Brummie accent remained. Black Sabbath has been widely credited with defining and popularizing the sound of heavy metal — aggressive, but full of melodies. Osbourne was the band's frontman during its peak period in the 1970s. His antics, on and off stage, were legendary, and often fueled by copious amounts of drinks and drugs. He was widely known as the 'Prince of Darkness.' The band's eponymous debut album in 1970 made the U.K. top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit albums, including 1971's 'Master of Reality' and 'Vol. 4' a year later. It went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. At the 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 soccer club, Aston Villa, with Osbourne seated on a black throne. Osbourne had been in poor health in recent years, especially after being 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 Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack.
Mint
14 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Ozzy Osbourne funeral procession: Thousands of Black Sabbath fans gather in Birmingham to bid farewell
Thousands of Black Sabbath fans packed Birmingham's Broad Street on Wednesday as Ozzy Osbourne's hearse passed through his hometown. The metal legend, who died last week at 76, was honored with chants of "Ozzy! Ozzy!" as his procession stopped at the Black Sabbath bench, a city landmark dedicated to the band in 2019. Six cars followed carrying his family, including wife Sharon who appeared emotional during the tribute, according to an AP report. Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates formed in 1968 while working factory jobs in Birmingham's industrial landscape. Their heavy, guitar-driven sound, first heard on their 1970 debut album – would define metal music forever. Despite worldwide fame, Osbourne stayed true to his working-class roots. A fan recalled on social media, "He inspired everyone here. You can feel the loss." The city recently awarded Osbourne and his bandmates the Freedom of Birmingham for putting their hometown on the musical map. Known as the "Prince of Darkness," Osbourne became famous for outrageous stage antics and struggles with addiction during Black Sabbath's 1970s peak. The band sold over 75 million albums worldwide with classics like "Paranoid" and "Iron Man." After leaving Sabbath, Osbourne launched a successful solo career and became a TV star on "The Osbournes" reality show. His final performance came just days before his death, a surprise reunion with Sabbath at Aston Villa's stadium before 42,000 fans. The procession marked a fitting tribute for the man who made Birmingham the "home of metal." Fans continue visiting local landmarks like the bench and the former factory where Sabbath formed. As the hearse drove past packed sidewalks, the chants echoed Osbourne's famous live shows, proving his spirit will keep rocking Birmingham forever. The city plans permanent memorials for its most famous musical export .
Daily Mirror
14 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ozzy Osbourne fans break barriers at funeral procession as family mourn star
Black Sabbath icon, Ozzy Osbourne, is being laid to rest tomorrow following his heartbreaking send-off in Birmingham today Ozzy Osbourne's legion of loyal fans have broken the barriers at his heartbreaking procession in Birmingham today as they tried to see the outpouring of tributes left for the Black Sabbath star before he is laid to rest tomorrow. The dad-of-six has been given one final journey around his beloved hometown in honour of Ozzy's legion of loyal fans, who have been left bereft by his death. It comes as the star's devasted family broke down amid the heartbreaking amount of flowers and tributes left for the singer as fans were seen trying to storm the barriers so that they too could get a closer look. In moving scenes, fans stormed police barriers after Ozzy's procession left. They lifted the metal barriers and headed onto the street to flock to Black Sabbath Bridge to read tributes and lay down more flowers. Security, while present, let the fans get on with celebrating Ozzy in their own way. It has been a day of celebration rather than sadness for fans gathered to pay their respects to Ozzy. Thousands of fans lined Broad Street chanting 'Ozzy,Ozzy,Ozzy' as his procession arrived. His family was supported by chants of 'We love Ozzy' and 'We love the Osbournes'. Sharon, Kelly, Jack and Aimee were all dressed in black as they arrived for the procession, with Sharon and Kelly seen sobbing in truly heartbreaking scenes. Ozzy died aged 76 on Tuesday last week, with his private funeral taking place just over a week later. His famous family - who admitted there were no words to describe their loss - wanted to give fans one last chance to pay their respects to the Changes star as a special procession will head down Broad Street in the city. The hearse carrying the star's coffin passed the star's childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, at about 12.45pm on its route into Birmingham city centre. Flowers have been placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park, since the singer's death, while the owners of the house have put up a picture of Osbourne in the front bay window. The Jaguar hearse and six Mercedes funeral cars, accompanied by police motorcycle riders and a police car, drove slowly along the street watched by a handful of fans and the current owner of the house. The procession passed Black Sabbath bridge and bench, where floral tributes have been laid out for the rock icon. Proceedings started at 1pm, with Broad Street closed to traffic from 7am. Ozzy's family are covering the costs, with the council helping with the road closure. He was "desperate to come home" in recent years following his Parkinson's diagnosis, and Ozzy made it back to England before his death. The poignant message above the statement announcing his death read "Birmingham, England July 22, 2025" - revealing that Ozzy made it back home, one last time.
Newsweek
14 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Ozzy Osbourne Funeral: Thousands Gather to Pay Tribute to Music Legend
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Thousands of emotional fans lined the streets of Ozzy Osbourne's home city of Birmingham in the United Kingdom on Wednesday to bid a tearful farewell to the Black Sabbath frontman at his funeral procession. The iconic singer, who was known as the Prince of Darkness for his pivotal role in shaping the heavy metal music genre, died on July 22 at the age of 76, sparking an outpouring of grief worldwide. Fans traveled from as far as the United States, Mexico and Poland to pay tribute to him at the funeral procession attended by friends and family. His wife, Sharon Osbourne, broke down in tears in front of floral tributes, as she was joined by their children Jack, Kelly and Aimee and Ozzy's son from his first marriage, Louis. The procession, which was led by a live brass band playing versions of Black Sabbath songs, including "Iron Man," is set to be followed by a private funeral service for his family. The Context The funeral procession represented a significant moment for the global music community and a chance to pay tribute to the music pioneer who had legions of fans from across the generations. Jack Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne arrive to view tributes to the late Ozzy Osbourne from fans as his funeral procession travels through his home city of Birmingham, England, on July 30, 2025. Jack Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne arrive to view tributes to the late Ozzy Osbourne from fans as his funeral procession travels through his home city of Birmingham, England, on July 30, gather Broad Street ahead of the funeral procession for Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, in Birmingham, England, on July 30, 2025. Fans gather Broad Street ahead of the funeral procession for Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, in Birmingham, England, on July 30, 2025. Jacob King/Jacob King/PA via AP Jack Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne visit the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Street in memory of Ozzy Osbourne ahead of the funeral procession, in Birmingham, England, on July 30, 2025. Jack Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne visit the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Street in memory of Ozzy Osbourne ahead of the funeral procession, in Birmingham, England, on July 30, 2025. Jacob King/Jacob King/PA via AP Osbourne's death came less than three weeks after a historic Black Sabbath reunion concert in the city where he was born that drew tens of thousands of fans. The occasion also saw him awarded the Freedom of the City, a ceremonial honor in the U.K. bestowed upon a celebrated person with ties to a community. The Osbourne family has not publicly revealed the singer's cause of death, but he had been living with Parkinson's disease and faced several health challenges in recent years, including complications from a fall in 2019. What To Know The funeral procession began at 1 p.m. local time as a hearse carrying Osbourne's body traveled through Broad Street in Birmingham. The procession stopped at the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, now a shrine covered in flowers and handwritten tributes, before proceeding to a private family funeral. This public event offered fans from across the globe a chance to say goodbye to the legendary artist in his birthplace. The ceremony featured a live performance from local brass ensemble Boston Brass, fulfilling Osbourne's previously stated wish for his funeral to be a "celebration, not a mope-fest." Fans gathered in Black Sabbath merchandise and Aston Villa jerseys, chanting "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy" to commemorate the singer's vibrant personality and legendary musical legacy. Those unable to attend in person were invited to view a livestream, while the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery offered a book of condolence and an Osbourne exhibition. Birmingham Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal views tributes to Ozzy Osbourne prior to the singer's funeral procession on July 30, 2025. Birmingham Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal views tributes to Ozzy Osbourne prior to the singer's funeral procession on July 30, People Are Saying Ozzy Osbourne's family, in a statement announcing his death: "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." Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal said: "Ozzy was more than a music legend—he was a son of Birmingham. It was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral." During his farewell concert on July 5, Osbourne told over 40,000 fans: "You've no idea how I feel—thank you from the bottom of my heart." What Happens Next The funeral procession marked the conclusion of public mourning before the Osbourne family paid their respects in private. Memorials, including the Black Sabbath bench and the ongoing exhibition at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, continue to draw visitors. A public petition to rename Birmingham Airport as "Ozzy Osbourne International" has gained significant support, with over 46,000 signatures as of Wednesday. The airport said it will consider appropriate ways to commemorate Osbourne's legacy. This article contains reporting by the Associated Press.
