Ozzy Osbourne's Hometown Says Final Farewell

Final Farewell: A Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne in Birmingham

Eight days after his passing, the city of Birmingham will honor the legacy of Ozzy Osbourne with a final procession through the streets where he once walked. This event marks a significant moment for fans, friends, and family as they come together to say goodbye to one of the most iconic figures in music history.

The Black Sabbath singer's body will be transported in a hearse through the city on Wednesday, en route to his private funeral. The journey is being funded by his family, who have long been proud of their roots in Aston. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, described the event as an opportunity for the city to pay its last respects to one of its "greatest legends."

During the procession, attendees will have the chance to witness the numerous floral tributes and heartfelt messages left by fans on the Black Sabbath Bridge. These displays have drawn people from all over the world, including fans from Mexico and the United States, who traveled to the city following the announcement of Osbourne’s death on 22 July. This was almost three weeks after he performed at Black Sabbath's farewell gig, Back to the Beginning.

What to Expect During the Procession

The hearse and accompanying vehicles will begin their journey along Broad Street at around 13:00 (12:00 GMT). The cortege will make its way to the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, where thousands of fans have left touching messages and flowers.

A live performance by the Birmingham-based Bostin' Brass Band and other local musicians will accompany the procession. Additionally, a tram named after Osbourne, unveiled in 2016, will be parked nearby outside the Birmingham Library while the event takes place.

The city council has indicated that the event is expected to attract large crowds of fans eager to pay their respects to the man who "helped shape the global heavy metal genre" and "proudly carried the spirit of Birmingham." Broad Street will be closed to through traffic from about 07:00, with buses and trams diverted during the event. Stewards will be present to assist visitors, though access for locals may not be guaranteed. Once the event concludes, Broad Street will reopen as soon as possible.

Those planning to attend are encouraged to arrive early, use public transport, and follow safety guidelines. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream of the Black Sabbath bench will continue to operate online.

The Role of Bostin' Brass Band

As the cortege makes its way along Broad Street, the Bostin' Brass Band will provide musical accompaniment. The group, which started as a marching band in Digbeth, describes itself as "Birmingham's very own second-line, jazz, funk and ska soul stew."

Band member Aaron Diaz expressed both nervousness and pride at being part of the event. “It's certainly high pressure,” he said. “You do feel a weight of responsibility. We're really going to enjoy paying a fitting tribute to him and being part of the crowd of thousands that's going to turn out on the day.”

The Significance of the Event for Birmingham

For many fans, both local and international, the choice of Birmingham as the location for the procession is deeply meaningful. Rachel Tomlinson, a resident of Birmingham, praised the decision, calling it "amazing" because it is "where he should rightly be." She added, “He was always proud to be a Brummie. It will be good to have him back one last time.”

Luisa Huggins, from the Westside Business Improvement District, which owns the Black Sabbath bench on Broad Street, noted that the site has become a focal point in recent days. “It's just been a really positive thing to see people coming to Birmingham to take part in paying homage and honouring the legend who Ozzy Osbourne was,” she said. “He was so proud to be from Birmingham, and I think as fellow Brummies, we were really proud to have him as one of our own as well.”