Ozzy Osbourne’s Birmingham Farewell Procession Begins
City Gears Up for Final Homage to Heavy Metal Legend
Birmingham is set to honour one of its most iconic sons, Ozzy Osbourne, as his funeral cortege makes its way through the city. The event offers fans a final opportunity to pay their respects to the Black Sabbath frontman.
City Prepares for Final Journey
Eight days following his passing, the hearse carrying the legendary rocker will travel through his home city. This procession, funded by his family, is a chance for Birmingham to bid a final farewell to a figure credited with shaping the global heavy metal scene.
Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, described the event as an opportunity for the city to pay its respects to one of its “greatest legends.” The route will pass by Black Sabbath Bridge, where countless floral tributes and messages have been left by devoted fans.
Global Fans Gather for Tribute
The news of Osbourne’s death on July 22, just under three weeks after his final concert, drew fans from across the globe, including Mexico and the United States, to Birmingham in the days that followed.
Procession Details Announced
The procession is scheduled to commence around 13:00 (12:00 GMT) on Broad Street. The hearse and accompanying vehicles will proceed slowly towards the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, a place that has become a focal point for fan tributes.
Local musicians, including the Birmingham-based Bostin’ Brass Band, will accompany the cortege with live performances. A tram named in Osbourne’s honour, unveiled in 2016, will also be displayed near Birmingham Library during the event.
The city council anticipates a large turnout, celebrating Osbourne for “proudly carrying the spirit of Birmingham.”
Local Support and Musical Tributes
The Bostin’ Brass Band, known for their blend of jazz, funk, and ska, expressed both nervousness and honour at participating. Band member Aaron Diaz stated they felt a “weight of responsibility” to deliver a “fitting tribute.”
The band aims to honour Osbourne by performing as the cortege moves along Broad Street.
Birmingham’s Pride in its Rock Icon
Fans like Rachel Tomlinson from Birmingham see the procession in the city as essential, emphasizing Osbourne’s own pride in his roots. “He makes me proud to be a Brummie,” she commented, anticipating his return one last time.
Luisa Huggins from the Westside Business Improvement District highlighted the positive atmosphere created by fans paying homage. “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,” she said.
Broad Street will be closed to traffic from approximately 07:00, with diversions for buses and trams. Stewards will be present to guide attendees, though access for locals may be restricted. The road is expected to reopen shortly after the event concludes.
Public transport is advised for those attending, and attendees are encouraged to arrive early and adhere to safety guidelines. A live stream of the Black Sabbath bench will continue online for those unable to be present.
