Cortege travels to Black Sabbath Bridge as tributes pour in from around the world
Thousands of fans gathered on Birmingham's Broad Street today to pay their final respects to Ozzy Osbourne, iconic Black Sabbath frontman and heavy metal pioneer. The funeral procession, privately funded by Osbourne's family, began its grand journey at 1:00pm BST, passing landmarks close to Ozzy's heart, including his childhood neighbourhood of Aston.
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| Fans line Broad Street in Birmingham to honor Ozzy Osbourne’s final journey. |
A Farewell Fit for a Rock Legend
Ozzy's death, which comes just 17 days after he last took the stage at the "Back to the Beginning" benefit concert, has rocked the music world. The event, held at Villa Park, saw the original Black Sabbath lineup — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward — reunite for the first time in two decades.
It was billed as the final celebration of the band that changed the world of rock, featuring performances from Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Slayer, and guest appearances from legends such as Ronnie Wood, Steven Tyler and Jack Black.
A Sea of Tributes at Black Sabbath Bridge
The procession ended at Black Sabbath Bridge, a canal in Birmingham that has been converted into a tribute site. Black balloons spelling out "Ozzy" floated above a sea of floral decorations, some of which were reportedly five metres (16 ft) deep. The sheer volume of tributes obscured iron gates.
The area, including the Black Sabbath bench, has become a symbolic place for fans to connect with Ozzy's legacy. Birmingham City Council closed Broad Street to traffic from 7:00 am, stewards managed security, public transport was rerouted, and thousands of people lined up in a respectful moment of silence.
“A Mix of Sadness and Celebration”
Among the early attendees was thrash metal band Mount Slatra, who came from Kidderminster. The band’s guitarist
Ben Alexander described the atmosphere this way:
There’s an energy here – serious, but also joyous. We’re honouring a man who gave so much to the music world.
Some brought pop-up chairs, picnics and memorabilia, leading to an impromptu fan community that grew throughout the morning. By 7am about 150 people had gathered, and by midday that number had swelled into the thousands.
City Pays Tribute Through Music and Memory
Leading the musical tribute, Aaron Diaz, trumpet player and leader of the local brass band, was emotional about performing during the procession:
It’s an honour. There’s a burden of responsibility, but the pride of Birmingham for Ozzy, everything feels right.
The band previously performed at New Street Station for the unveiling of "Ozzy the Bull", a mechanical sculpture created for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Sharon Osbourne unveiled the sculpture, which is now a popular attraction in the city.
Worldwide Mourning: Tributes from LA to Birmingham
Across the Atlantic, fans have gathered near Ozzy's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, laying flowers and handwritten notes. Messages of condolence and gratitude have flooded social media, reflecting Osbourne's impact on generations of musicians and fans.
Ozzy's Last Bow: A City United in Silence and Celebration
Ozzy's passing comes just a week after his impressive final performance — a farewell that now holds even more significance. His family's decision to fund today's public event has given fans the chance not only to say goodbye, but to celebrate a life that changed music forever.
As the funeral procession reached the Black Sabbath Bridge, a moment of solidarity of silence fell over the crowd, a shared moment of respect for Birmingham’s son, the Prince of Darkness, and a sound that will never be forgotten.
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