A City in Mourning: Birmingham Bids Farewell to Ozzy Osbourne in a Powerful Public Procession. The streets of Birmingham fell silent and reverent as thousands turned out to say goodbye to one of their own. Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, was honored with a public procession through his hometown, drawing waves of fans, heartfelt tributes, and a sea of purple and black.
His wife Sharon, supported by their children Jack, Kelly, and Aimee, was overcome with emotion as she read touching messages left by fans at the Black Sabbath Bridge. Clutching pink flowers wrapped in black, the family walked behind Ozzy’s hearse, a simple Jaguar adorned with a single purple crucifix and floral arrangements spelling out “Ozzy.”
Crowds lined Broad Street from early morning. Fans carried Black Sabbath banners, bat-themed balloons, and Aston Villa scarves, a nod to Ozzy’s beloved football team. Many showed off Ozzy tattoos, wore vintage band jackets, and chanted in unison: “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy!” Others scrambled onto stalls for a better view, while some simply stood silently, tears in their eyes.
The procession stopped at several poignant locations, including Ozzy’s childhood home and the Black Sabbath Bridge—now nearly hidden beneath layers of flowers, candles, and memorabilia. A live brass band made up of local musicians from Bostin’ Brass led the cortege, playing in tribute to the man who once redefined rock music. Sharon, Jack, and Kelly were visibly emotional as they laid flowers and received messages of love from the crowd. Kelly leaned on her brother Jack for support. Aimee and Kelly’s fiancé Sid Wilson stood close by with their son, Sidney.
Fans were united in their grief but also in celebration of a life that touched millions. One fan said, “He felt like a family member. His music told us we weren’t alone.” Another shared, “I’m learning guitar just to play his songs.” The farewell was everything Ozzy might have wanted—loud, loving, and filled with the very people he sang for his entire life. But while the streets roared with chants and music, tomorrow will be more quiet. A private funeral service is scheduled in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, where the family will say their final goodbyes in a more intimate setting.
Ozzy died peacefully at his home, surrounded by family. Though gone, his spirit looms large—not only through his decades of music but in the lives of those he inspired, the streets that raised him, and the city that will never forget him. In Birmingham, Ozzy wasn’t just a rock star. He was a son, a brother, a friend. And now, a legend laid to rest.
