Throngs of Ozzy Osbourne enthusiasts congregate on Birmingham streets in a tribute to the Black Sabbath legend
Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic figure known as "The Prince of Darkness" and the "Godfather of Heavy Metal", bid his final farewell to the world on July 30, 2025, in his hometown of Birmingham, England. The city, proud of one of its most famous sons, paid a dignified tribute to the heavy metal icon, with thousands of fans lining the streets to pay their respects.
Osbourne's career skyrocketed in the early 1970s with Black Sabbath's hits such as "Paranoid", "War Pigs", and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath". These songs made him a star and established Black Sabbath as the originators of heavy metal. Osbourne's antics on stage, most famously biting the head off a bat, extended his fame far beyond the realm of metal music.
The funeral procession, led by a New Orleans-style brass band, traveled through central Birmingham, passing the Black Sabbath bridge and a commemorative bench where fans left messages and flowers in tribute to the heavy metal icon. Surviving members of Black Sabbath were believed to have participated in the event.
The procession was a private event, but it stopped at a bench dedicated to musical pioneers in Birmingham, allowing fans to catch a glimpse of Osbourne's wife, Sharon, and their family, who looked at the thousands of flowers and tributes left by fans. Graham Croucher, a 58-year-old train driver from Northampton, described Ozzy Osbourne as an "absolute legend".
The event was a mix of celebration and sadness, as Osbourne did not want his funeral to be a "mope-fest". Fans around the world watched the procession via a livestream focused on the Black Sabbath bench, symbolizing a communal moment of mourning and celebration of Ozzy’s legacy. The family waved and made peace signs to the crowd, who chanted "Ozzy, Ozzy".
Osbourne's funeral and procession underscored his role as a pioneering figure in heavy metal, his roots in Birmingham, and the city's pride in one of its most famous sons. His music and persona shaped the genre and inspired fans globally for decades. In 2002, Osbourne won new fans when he starred in the U.S. reality TV show "The Osbournes" with his wife and two children.
Just this month, Osbourne played a final concert in his home city, where a star-studded line-up paid tribute to Black Sabbath's legacy. Ozzy Osbourne died at the age of 76, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world of heavy metal music.
[1] The Guardian. (2025, July 30). Ozzy Osbourne's funeral procession: A tribute to a heavy metal legend. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jul/30/ozzy-osbourne-funeral-procession-tribute-heavy-metal-legend [2] BBC News. (2025, July 30). Fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham funeral procession. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-58206154
