Thousands of fans filled the streets of Birmingham today, July 30, 2025, to bid a final farewell to **Ozzy Osbourne**, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman who died on July 22 at age 76 . Beginning at 1 p.m., his funeral cortege slowly made its way down Broad Street to the **Black Sabbath Bridge and bench**, now transformed into a sprawling memorial with flowers, messages, and mementos honoring his life and legacy .
Accompanied by local brass musicians from **Bostin’ Brass**, the procession carried Ozzy’s flower‑covered coffin as fans chanted “Ozzy! Ozzy!” and showered the hearse with petals . Among the crowd were his wife **Sharon Osbourne** and their children—**Aimee**, **Kelly**, **Jack**, and **Louis**—who paused at the bench to greet mourners and flashing peace signs despite visible emotion .
Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, **Zafar Iqbal**, described Ozzy as “more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham.” He emphasized the city’s gratitude for having the opportunity to honor him with a “fitting, dignified tribute” before a private family service and burial occurring later today . The Osbourne family funded the public event entirely and requested privacy for the subsequent intimate ceremony .
Crowds arrived early—buses and trams were diverted from 7 a.m. as Broad Street closed to traffic to ensure smooth operation of the funeral route . For those unable to attend in person, Birmingham Council made arrangements for a **live stream of the Black Sabbath bench**, so fans around the world could participate in the ceremony remotely .
The procession closed a chapter on Osbourne’s profound connection with his hometown: born in the Aston district, founding Black Sabbath in 1968, and recently performing his final farewell concert, **“Back to the Beginning”**, at Villa Park just weeks before his passing . Today’s tribute was more than a funeral—it was a chorus of gratitude from a city that proudly claims him as its own.
