Additional Coverage:
Birmingham Sends Off Ozzy Osbourne with a Blast
Birmingham – The city of Birmingham bid a final, roaring farewell to its native son, Ozzy Osbourne, with a procession and brass band performance on Wednesday. Thousands of fans lined Broad Street to pay their respects as the procession made its way to the Black Sabbath bridge and bench, a site overflowing with tributes left by mourners. The Bostin’ Brass band provided a fittingly musical sendoff, honoring the life and legacy of the Prince of Darkness.
Lord Mayor Councillor Zafar Iqbal emphasized the importance of the tribute, stating, “Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham.” He added that the city was proud to support the tribute ahead of the private family funeral. The Osbourne family graciously covered the costs of the event.
Following the public procession, a small, private funeral was held for close friends and family. A source close to the family shared that the service was a celebration of Osbourne’s life, just as he’d wished. The family has been deeply touched by the outpouring of support from around the globe.
Osbourne, who passed away on July 22 at the age of 76, had previously expressed his desire for a celebratory funeral, famously stating in a 2011 column that he hoped for pranks and a joyful atmosphere rather than a “mope-fest.” He even joked about wanting the sound of knocking inside his coffin or a video of himself questioning his death diagnosis.
The family announced Osbourne’s passing with a heartfelt statement, sharing that he was surrounded by loved ones at the time of his death. The rock icon’s final concert took place earlier this month in Birmingham, a star-studded event featuring performances by Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and other music legends. Osbourne leaves behind a rich musical legacy and is survived by his wife Sharon, children Aimee, Kelly, Jack, Jessica, Elliot, and Louis.