Latest news with #Ozzy
Daily Record
5 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Ozzy Osbourne fans break barriers at funeral procession as thousands mourn star
Ozzy Osbourne is being laid to rest tomorrow following his heartbreaking send off in his beloved home city Birmingham as fans gathered to pay their respects Ozzy Osbourne's grieving fans flooded the streets of Birmingham today in a powerful final tribute to the Black Sabbath frontman, breaking through barriers in a desperate bit to honour their rock icon. The 76-year-old father of six died last Tuesday, and today's public procession gave followers one last chance to say goodbye before the star's private funeral tomorrow. It comes as Ozzy's devastated family broke down amid the heartbreaking amount of flowers and tributes left for the Prince of Darkness. After widow Sharon and her children, Jack, Aimee and Kelly got back into their cars to follow the hearse, fans broke through the barriers to get closer to the action, the Mirror reports. In a touching scene, some shot through the metal barriers police had set up for crowd control, lifting them and hurrying onto the street to the Black Sabbath Bridge to pay their respects and lay down more flowers and tributes for the star. While security was on hand, they allowed the crowds to mourn in their own way, recognising the day's significance. It had been a celebration rather than sadness for fans as they gathered to say their final goodbye to Ozzy. As the hearse carrying the legendary singer made its way through his beloved hometown, thousands lined Broad Street, chanting "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy." Showing support to the Osbourne family fans shouted "We love Ozzy" and "We love the Osbournes." Sharon, Kelly, Jack and Aimee were all dressed in black for the occasion. Sharon and Kelly were seen in tears, visibly moved by the sheer volume of tributes and the overwhelming support from the public. Ozzy died age 76 on Tuesday, July 22, with his private funeral taking place just over a week later. His famous family wanted to give the fans an opportunity to pay their respects to the Crazy Train singer. The hearse, a black Jaguar, began its journey at Ozzy's childhood home on Lodge Road in Aston at around 12:45 pm on its route into Birmingham city centre. Flowers adorned the front of the terraced house, and a photo of the rock star was placed in the bay window by the current owners. A small group of local residents gathered outside, including the home's current occupant, watching quietly as the procession began. The hearse and six Mercedes funeral cars were accompanied by police motorcycle riders and a police car as it drove slowly along the streets of Birmingham. The procession then passed the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, where floral tributes had been laid out over the past week for the rock legend. Proceedings started at 1pm, with Broad Street closed to traffic from 7am this morning. Sharon was covering the costs of the procession, as the council helped with the road closure. "Desperate to come home" in his final years after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Ozzy had returned to the UK before his death. The announcement of his passing included a poignant location stamp: "Birmingham, England, July 22, 2025" - a quiet but powerful confirmation that he had indeed made it back home, one last time.
Powys County Times
7 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Sharon Osbourne emotional as family look at Ozzy Osbourne tributes in Birmingham
Sharon Osbourne was visibly emotional as fans shouted 'Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy' during a procession through the streets of Birmingham in honour of the heavy metal star. Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy, who played a farewell gig in the city earlier this month, died at the age of 76 last Tuesday. His wife, former X Factor judge Sharon, 72, could be seen hugging the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, after she arrived at the Black Sabbath bench where floral tributes have been laid. She was helped out of the first vehicle in the cortege by her and Ozzy's son Jack, who joined her at the event along with their daughters Aimee and Kelly – who all raised their hands in a peace sign while paying their respects. Sharon and the couple's children could be seen wiping away tears at the bench as they inspected tributes, with members of the crowd shouting 'we love you Ozzy'. Each family member carried a pink rose, wrapped in black paper tied with a purple ribbon, that they laid on top of the many other floral tributes that sat next to a poster of the star, which said: 'Birmingham will always love you'. Sharon kissed the flower she was holding before laying it in the middle of the tributes. The hearse carrying Ozzy's coffin passed the star's childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, at about 12.45pm on Wednesday on its route into Birmingham city centre. Flowers have been placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park, 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 on Lodge Road, watched by a handful of fans and the current owner of the house. The hearse, adorned with purple flowers spelling out 'Ozzy', then made its way down Broad Street before stopping at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers have been left. 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. Fans also left tributes outside a mural on Navigation Street, which was created ahead of the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park, which took place a few weeks ago. One Osbourne fan, called Goose, told the PA news agency that Osbourne 'was a family member' and said they discovered heavy metal as a teenager. 'That's when I found, like millions of people around the world, that there was music that was for us, something that understood us,' they said. 'We knew that there was somebody out there that felt the way that we did and it was a constant presence. 'Ozzy helped give that to the world. He was a family member. He felt like a family member to so many people and he touched so many people's lives.' Evie Mayo, from Wolverhampton, said the heavy metal star had inspired her and everyone in Birmingham. She told PA: 'I think he was so influential, he was such an inspirational person. I think he really impacted everyone here, especially in Birmingham as well. 'Now that he's not here any more, you can feel the impact of it. He inspired a lot of people and he was a great person.' She added: 'He inspired me by… I love his music, absolutely love his music. I'm learning guitar so that I can learn some of his songs.' 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. The group, which formed in 1968, is widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans when he appeared in the 2000s reality TV series The Osbournes, starring alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. The music star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, performed his last gig on July 5 in a concert that also saw performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses. Osbourne died just over two weeks after Black Sabbath were reunited barely two miles from where they first played together more than 50 years ago.
South Wales Guardian
7 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Sharon Osbourne emotional as family look at Ozzy Osbourne tributes in Birmingham
Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy, who played a farewell gig in the city earlier this month, died at the age of 76 last Tuesday. His wife, former X Factor judge Sharon, 72, could be seen hugging the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, after she arrived at the Black Sabbath bench where floral tributes have been laid. She was helped out of the first vehicle in the cortege by her and Ozzy's son Jack, who joined her at the event along with their daughters Aimee and Kelly – who all raised their hands in a peace sign while paying their respects. Sharon and the couple's children could be seen wiping away tears at the bench as they inspected tributes, with members of the crowd shouting 'we love you Ozzy'. Each family member carried a pink rose, wrapped in black paper tied with a purple ribbon, that they laid on top of the many other floral tributes that sat next to a poster of the star, which said: 'Birmingham will always love you'. Sharon kissed the flower she was holding before laying it in the middle of the tributes. The hearse carrying Ozzy's coffin passed the star's childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, at about 12.45pm on Wednesday on its route into Birmingham city centre. Flowers have been placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park, 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 on Lodge Road, watched by a handful of fans and the current owner of the house. The hearse, adorned with purple flowers spelling out 'Ozzy', then made its way down Broad Street before stopping at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers have been left. 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. Fans also left tributes outside a mural on Navigation Street, which was created ahead of the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park, which took place a few weeks ago. One Osbourne fan, called Goose, told the PA news agency that Osbourne 'was a family member' and said they discovered heavy metal as a teenager. 'That's when I found, like millions of people around the world, that there was music that was for us, something that understood us,' they said. 'We knew that there was somebody out there that felt the way that we did and it was a constant presence. 'Ozzy helped give that to the world. He was a family member. He felt like a family member to so many people and he touched so many people's lives.' Evie Mayo, from Wolverhampton, said the heavy metal star had inspired her and everyone in Birmingham. She told PA: 'I think he was so influential, he was such an inspirational person. I think he really impacted everyone here, especially in Birmingham as well. 'Now that he's not here any more, you can feel the impact of it. He inspired a lot of people and he was a great person.' She added: 'He inspired me by… I love his music, absolutely love his music. I'm learning guitar so that I can learn some of his songs.' 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. The group, which formed in 1968, is widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans when he appeared in the 2000s reality TV series The Osbournes, starring alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. The music star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, performed his last gig on July 5 in a concert that also saw performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses. Osbourne died just over two weeks after Black Sabbath were reunited barely two miles from where they first played together more than 50 years ago.
Irish Examiner
23 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Ozzy Osbourne fans gather in Birmingham to honour star who was ‘like family'
Ozzy Osbourne fans have gathered in Birmingham to honour the heavy metal star who was like a 'family member' to his admirers. A cortege, along with the Osbourne family, is expected to stop at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers have been left. The Black Sabbath frontman, who played a farewell gig in the city earlier this month, died at the age of 76 last Tuesday. One Osbourne fan called Goose told the PA news agency that they discovered heavy metal as a teenager. Fans arrived early to get their spot near the Black Sabbath Bridge in Broad Street, Birmingham (Jacob King/PA) 'That's when I found, like millions of people around the world, that there was music that was for us, something that understood us,' they said. 'We knew that there was somebody out there that felt the way that we did and it was a constant presence. 'Ozzy helped give that to the world. He was a family member. He felt like a family member to so many people and he touched so many people's lives.' Evie Mayo, from Wolverhampton, said the heavy metal star had inspired her and everyone in Birmingham as she waited by the Black Sabbath Bridge for his cortege to arrive. She told PA: 'I think he was so influential, he was such an inspirational person. I think he really impacted everyone here, especially in Birmingham as well. 'Now that he's not here any more, you can feel the impact of it. He inspired a lot of people and he was a great person.' She added: 'He inspired me by… I love his music, absolutely love his music. I'm learning guitar so that I can learn some of his songs.' The hearse carrying Osbourne will make its way down Broad Street to the Black Sabbath Bridge from around 1pm on Wednesday. Fans have left heartfelt messages and floral tributes around the city, including at the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street, to honour the heavy metal star who was born in the Aston area of Birmingham. Members of the public have also signed a book of condolence, opened by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which is currently holding an exhibition titled Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero. While organising the procession, Birmingham City Council collaborated with the Osbourne family, who funded all 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 in giving him the farewell he deserves.' Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne (PA) Broad Street will be closed to through traffic from 7am and buses and trams will be diverted during this time before the road re-opens when the event finishes. 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. The group, which formed in 1968, is widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans when he appeared in the noughties reality TV series The Osbournes, starring alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. The music star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, performed his last gig on July 5 in a concert that also saw performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses.
South Wales Guardian
31 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Ozzy Osbourne fans gather in Birmingham to honour star who was ‘like family'
A cortege, along with the Osbourne family, is expected to stop at the Black Sabbath bench, where thousands of tributes, balloons and flowers have been left. The Black Sabbath frontman, who played a farewell gig in the city earlier this month, died at the age of 76 last Tuesday. One Osbourne fan called Goose told the PA news agency that they discovered heavy metal as a teenager. 'That's when I found, like millions of people around the world, that there was music that was for us, something that understood us,' they said. 'We knew that there was somebody out there that felt the way that we did and it was a constant presence. 'Ozzy helped give that to the world. He was a family member. He felt like a family member to so many people and he touched so many people's lives.' Evie Mayo, from Wolverhampton, said the heavy metal star had inspired her and everyone in Birmingham as she waited by the Black Sabbath Bridge for his cortege to arrive. She told PA: 'I think he was so influential, he was such an inspirational person. I think he really impacted everyone here, especially in Birmingham as well. 'Now that he's not here any more, you can feel the impact of it. He inspired a lot of people and he was a great person.' She added: 'He inspired me by… I love his music, absolutely love his music. I'm learning guitar so that I can learn some of his songs.' The hearse carrying Osbourne will make its way down Broad Street to the Black Sabbath Bridge from around 1pm on Wednesday. Fans have left heartfelt messages and floral tributes around the city, including at the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street, to honour the heavy metal star who was born in the Aston area of Birmingham. Members of the public have also signed a book of condolence, opened by Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which is currently holding an exhibition titled Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero. While organising the procession, Birmingham City Council collaborated with the Osbourne family, who funded all 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 in giving him the farewell he deserves.' Broad Street will be closed to through traffic from 7am and buses and trams will be diverted during this time before the road re-opens when the event finishes. 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. The group, which formed in 1968, is widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans when he appeared in the noughties reality TV series The Osbournes, starring alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. The music star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, performed his last gig on July 5 in a concert that also saw performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses.
