Fans Pay Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne During His Funeral Procession in Birmingham
On Wednesday, heartfelt tributes poured onto the streets of Birmingham, England, as fans gathered to honor the legacy of musical icon Ozzy Osbourne. The former Black Sabbath frontman, who passed away at the age of 76, was remembered during a moving funeral procession through his hometown—a city where he initially found fame with the legendary heavy metal band.
The procession wound its way along Broad Street, culminating at a canal bridge named in commemoration of Black Sabbath. This bridge is adorned with a bench featuring life-sized cutouts of the band’s original members, including Osbourne, Terry “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward. The occasion was marked by an emotional moment when Sharon Osbourne, his wife for over four decades, stopped to lay flowers at the memorial. She was joined by their children, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, who gained fame through the reality show “The Osbournes.”
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, also participated in the somber event, declaring, “Ozzy was more than a music legend — he was a son of Birmingham.” As the procession advanced, fans expressed their deep appreciation and connection to Osbourne, who they fondly dubbed the “Prince of Darkness.” Graham Croucher, a 58-year-old train driver, reflected on the significant impact Osbourne had on his life, stating, “He dared to be different because he was different.” Croucher continued, “I think we can all see so much of ourselves in Ozzy.”
Amanda Summers, a 37-year-old singer, echoed similar sentiments of emotional support among fans. “Been a Black Sabbath fan for a long time… they’ve been in our homes, so they’re like our family,” she said. Similarly, Darren Verdi-Ashton, a 56-year-old businessman from Birmingham, was candid about his shock at Osbourne’s passing.
In the wake of Osbourne’s death, fans flocked to the Black Sabbath Bridge, leaving floral tributes, messages, and personal memorabilia. One poignant note attached to an Aston Villa soccer jersey read, “Final Stop On The Crazy Train?”—a reference to Osbourne’s iconic single from his 1980 solo debut.
Tributes and Memorials
| Tribute Item | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Symbol of respect and remembrance |
| Jack Daniel’s Bottles | Reflects Osbourne’s rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle |
| Toy Bats | Reference to Osbourne’s infamous on-stage incident with a bat |
In the last few days, Osbourne’s iconic hit “Crazy Train” surged in popularity following his death, entering the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first time at number 46. Fans unable to attend the procession in person were given the opportunity to participate through a livestream, ensuring that Osbourne’s spirit was celebrated far and wide.
With Osbourne’s private family funeral scheduled for Thursday in Buckinghamshire, the community and his fans in Birmingham focused on providing a fitting tribute before he is laid to rest. Mayor Iqbal emphasized the importance of honoring Osbourne’s memory, stating, “We’re proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began.”
Osbourne’s retirement from touring in 2023, due to a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, came as a shock to many fans. His last performance occurred less than three weeks ago, where he shared a heartfelt moment with over 40,000 supporters. As he told the crowd, “You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
