Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne is being laid to rest in Birmingham today, with thousands of mourners currently lining the streets of his hometown.
Last week, the musician – real name John Osbourne – died on July 22 at the age of 76, after a long battle with Parkinson’s and other health problems. No official cause of death has been given.
His family shared a statement confirming his death, writing: ‘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.’
His death came just weeks after he appeared on stage for the final time, during the Back to the Beginning concert in Birmingham on July 5.
Osbourne will again be honoured in his home city today. Growing up in Aston, the musician will today be laid to rest nearby.
His cortege will travel along Broad Street in the city centre from 1pm, making its way towards Black Sabbath Bridge, which has been covered with flowers and tributes to him.
Fans already began assembling early in the day, where they’ve been photographed lining the streets – many wearing Black Sabbath memorabilia.
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.’
Meanwhile 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.’
Osbourne once spoke about plans for his funeral saying he wanted it to be a celebration and not a ‘mope-fest’.
Many young fans have also been spotted in the crowd – including Eliza, 10 – who made a sign saying, ‘Goodnight Ozzy, Birmingham forever’, as a tribute.
‘Ozzy is a local lad, a boy from Aston, and he’s allowed kids like me to dream big. Ozzy is Birmingham,’ she told the BBC.
Her mum Claire Finn-O’Shea added the city was ‘in mourning’, but that it was ‘so generous of the family to bring him home to Birmingham, because for the fans to be involved that’s a massive thing’.
For those unable to attend, the live stream of the Black Sabbath bench is operating online here.
‘We’re going to pay our last respects and homage to one of the greatest living legends of Birmingham,’ Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal said yesterday.
‘He put Birmingham on the map. He put Aston on the map.’
He continued: ‘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 Back to the Beginning at Aston Villa 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 the Osbourne 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 is giving him the farewell he deserves.’
The procession will include music performed by local group Bostin’ Brass as Ozzy makes one final trip through his hometown.
The Osbourne family will also be in attendance, with a private funeral set to take place after the procession.
Fans have left heartfelt messages and floral tributes around the city, including at the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street.
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.
However overnight, flowers and football shirts were among memorials that mysteriously disappeared from the Ozzy Bully in Harborne.
In a statement to Metro, a spokesperson from The Birmingham City Council said: ‘We are asking everybody to show due respect to the memorial on the Black Sabbath Bench at this time, and any other memorial to Ozzy Osbourne found in Birmingham.
‘Stealing flowers from the memorial is unacceptable. If any flowers have been stolen, the council will look into this and take appropriate action.’
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