Birmingham, UK – Thousands of fans lined the streets of Birmingham on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, to pay their final respects to heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, who passed away on July 22 at the age of 76. The funeral procession, a poignant tribute to the “Prince of Darkness,” wound through the city where Osbourne grew up and where Black Sabbath was formed in 1968, offering fans a chance to say goodbye to one of rock music’s most influential figures.
The procession began at 1:00 PM BST, with a hearse carrying Osbourne’s coffin, adorned with a purple floral tribute spelling out “Ozzy,” traveling from his childhood home in Aston along Broad Street to the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, a site that has become a shrine for fans since his death. The cortege was led by local brass band Bostin’ Brass, performing renditions of Black Sabbath classics like Iron Man, creating a fittingly raucous yet respectful atmosphere. Fans chanted “Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!” and raised “devil’s horns” hand gestures, celebrating the rock star’s legacy.
Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife of 43 years, was visibly emotional as she, along with their children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, and Ozzy’s son Louis from his first marriage, paused at the Black Sabbath Bridge to lay pink roses among the sea of tributes, including flowers, handwritten notes, toy bats, and bottles of Jack Daniel’s. Sharon, supported by her family, made a peace sign to the crowd, acknowledging their outpouring of love. The bridge, featuring a bench with life-size cutouts of Black Sabbath’s founding members—Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—has been a focal point for fans worldwide, with tributes pouring in from as far as Mexico, the USA, and Greece.
“It’s deeply moving to see Birmingham unite to bid a final farewell to Ozzy Osbourne,” said Sharnaz Shahid, deputy website editor at HELLO! magazine and a Birmingham native. “This moment isn’t just about music—it’s about Birmingham paying tribute to one of its biggest icons.” The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Ozzy was more than a music legend—he was a son of Birmingham. We’re proud to host this fitting, dignified tribute.” The event, funded by the Osbourne family, was coordinated swiftly by the city council to ensure a safe and respectful farewell.
Fans of all ages, some wearing Black Sabbath memorabilia and others with homemade signs, gathered as early as the night before to secure spots along the route. Simon Hall, 57, called Osbourne a “working-class hero” who represented “the best and worst of us with humility and a cheeky grin.” Younger fans, like 19-year-old Callum Parkins, credited Osbourne’s music as inspiration for their own heavy metal band, saying, “He’s done everything for us.”
The procession passed significant landmarks, including Osbourne’s childhood home on Lodge Road and Villa Park, where he performed his final concert, Back to the Beginning, on July 5. The show, attended by 42,000 fans and featuring performances by Metallica, Aerosmith, and others, raised £140 million for charities like Cure Parkinson’s and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Osbourne, who had battled Parkinson’s since 2003, told the crowd, “You’ve no idea how I feel—thank you from the bottom of my heart,” in what would be his final public words.
For those unable to attend, a livestream of the Black Sabbath Bridge was available at blacksabbathbench.co.uk, allowing global fans to join in the farewell. A book of condolences remains open at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, alongside the Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero exhibition.
Following the procession, a private funeral was held at a church in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, attended by close family, friends, and notable figures like Black Sabbath bandmates and Elton John. Osbourne’s legacy as a pioneer of heavy metal, a reality TV star, and a beloved Birmingham native will endure, with fans continuing to honor him through tributes like a petition to rename Birmingham Airport after him, which has garnered over 46,000 signatures.As one fan’s note at the Black Sabbath Bridge read, “To our king of metal, you were a light in the darkness. Thank you for the music.” Ozzy Osbourne’s final journey through Birmingham was a testament to his immeasurable impact, uniting fans in a celebration of a life lived loud and true.
