Birmingham Pays Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne as His Hearse Traverses the City

BIRMINGHAM, England -- The city renowned as the birthplace of heavy metal is paying homage to one of its most iconic figures. On Wednesday, a large crowd of Black Sabbath enthusiasts gathered to honor the legendary frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse journeyed through the streets of Birmingham, where he was raised and where the band was established in 1968. Osbourne, who passed away at the age of 76, was celebrated by fans who lined Broad Street, Birmingham's main thoroughfare, as the hearse made its way to the Black Sabbath bench, unveiled in 2019 on the Broad Street canal bridge.

As the hearse arrived, fans chanted in unison, demonstrating their deep affection for the music icon. Following the hearse were six vehicles carrying Osbourne's family, who organized the procession. His wife, Sharon, was visibly emotional as they briefly emerged to acknowledge the crowd.

Attendee Antony Hunt expressed that the day was profoundly moving, noting the diverse age range of fans present, from young children to older adults. He remarked on the significance of the moment for many.

In the wake of Osbourne's passing, fans have traveled to various sites around Birmingham, a city that proudly embraces its status as the birthplace of heavy metal. Osbourne, often referred to as the godfather of metal among his peers, has left a lasting legacy.

City official Zafar Iqbal commented on Osbourne's importance to Birmingham, stating that the tribute meant a great deal to the local community and fans alike. Recently, Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates were awarded the Freedom of the City for their contributions to the city.

Black Sabbath's journey began in Birmingham in 1968 as the original members sought to escape their factory jobs. The band's sound, characterized by its aggressive yet melodic style, has roots in the city's industrial heritage, and Osbourne maintained a strong connection to his working-class background throughout his career.

Black Sabbath is widely recognized for defining and popularizing heavy metal music, with Osbourne as the frontman during their most influential years in the 1970s. His persona, both on and off the stage, was legendary, often marked by his struggles with substance abuse and his reputation as the "Prince of Darkness." The band's debut album in 1970 achieved significant success, paving the way for a series of hit records that solidified their place in music history, with over 75 million albums sold worldwide.

On July 5, Osbourne performed at a significant reunion concert, marking Black Sabbath's first show in two decades, which attracted 42,000 fans to Villa Park, home of Aston Villa FC, with Osbourne seated on a throne. His health had declined in recent years, particularly following a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2019.

Beyond his work with Black Sabbath, Osbourne had a thriving solo career and gained a new generation of fans through the reality television series "The Osbournes," which aired in the early 2000s, featuring him, Sharon, and their children, Kelly and Jack.