Birmingham stood still on Wednesday as thousands of fans gathered on Broad Street to bid a final farewell to Ozzy Osbourne, the city’s most iconic musical export. The Black Sabbath frontman’s funeral began with a deeply emotional public procession before transitioning to a private ceremony attended by close family, friends, and music legends.
At exactly 1pm, a solemn hush fell over the crowd as Ozzy’s hearse moved slowly through Broad Street, flanked by his wife Sharon, their children Jack and Kelly, and a local brass band, Bostin Brass. The procession paused at the Black Sabbath bridge, where the late rocker’s legacy is immortalised in steel and stone. There, the family stopped to read tributes, lay flowers, and take in the overwhelming outpouring of love from fans who have mourned since his passing last week at the age of 76.
Sharon Osbourne, visibly emotional, was seen comforting family members and exchanging kind words with fans along the route. Speaking ahead of the day, she had vowed to honour her husband’s wish for a celebration of life rather than mourning — a tone echoed in the choice of music, community atmosphere, and public tributes.
Birmingham City Council worked swiftly with the Osbourne family to make the public farewell possible, ensuring Broad Street was closed off from early morning, with all buses and trams diverted.
Later in the afternoon, a private funeral service took place, with confirmed attendees including members of Metallica and Osbourne’s Black Sabbath bandmates. Metallica’s bassist Robert Trujillo shared an emotional tribute on Instagram, recalling the special bond he shared with Ozzy: “He was a humble man, sometimes so honest it hurt. Touring with Ozzy was a wild adventure — full of heart, soul and funk.”
In a heartwarming tribute to his enduring impact, a wildlife park announced the birth of a newborn white rhino named “Ozzy,” born on the same day the rock legend died. “It’s our way of honouring a global icon who roared louder than life,” the park said.
Tributes continue to pour in from across the globe. Fellow artists like Elton John and Geezer Butler described Ozzy as an “unmatched showman” who “flung open hell’s musical gates and changed the world.”
His family echoed those sentiments with a message of gratitude: “Ozzy gave everything to his fans, to his family, and to his music. We know he’s up there now, probably raising hell with a laugh. Forever our Prince of Darkness. Forever Birmingham’s son.”
