BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — The “home of metal” is honoring one of its most cherished sons.
On Wednesday, thousands of dedicated Black Sabbath fans gathered to honor their iconic frontman, Ozzy Osbourne, as his hearse journeyed through the streets of Birmingham. This English city, where Osbourne was raised and where the legendary band was established in 1968, became a hub of remembrance.
The hearse transporting Osbourne, who passed away last Tuesday at the age of 76, traversed Broad Street, Birmingham’s main artery, heading towards the Black Sabbath bench. This significant landmark was introduced on the Broad Street canal bridge in 2019.
“Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi,” fans screamed as the hearse arrived.
Six vehicles, filled with the Osbourne family who financed the procession, followed closely. The family stepped out momentarily, with his wife of 43 years, Sharon, deeply moved by the occasion.
In the wake of Osbourne’s passing, fans have flocked to various sites across Birmingham, the city that proudly claims the title of heavy metal’s birthplace. Among his contemporaries, Osbourne was revered as the godfather of metal.
“Ozzy was more than just a musical icon — he was a son of Birmingham,” stated Zafar Iqbal, a local official. “We understand how profound this event is for his admirers.”
Recognizing their contributions to Birmingham, Osbourne along with his Black Sabbath bandmates, Terence Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward, were recently granted the Freedom of the City.
“I think he really impacted everyone here, especially in Birmingham as well,” said fan Evie Mayo. “Now that he’s not here anymore, you can feel the impact of it. He inspired a lot of people and he was a great person.”
Black Sabbath’s story began in Birmingham in 1968 when the four original members were looking to escape a life of factory work. Without doubt, the sound and fury of heavy metal had its roots in the city’s manufacturing heritage. Osbourne never forgot his working-class roots, and his Brummie accent remained.
Black Sabbath has been widely credited with defining and popularizing the sound of heavy metal — aggressive, but full of melodies.
Osbourne was the band’s frontman during its peak period in the 1970s.
His antics, on and off stage, were legendary, and often fueled by copious amounts of drinks and drugs. He was widely known as the “Prince of Darkness.”
The band’s eponymous debut album in 1970 made the U.K. top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit albums, including 1971’s “Master of Reality” and “Vol. 4” a year later. It went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide.
At the final show on July 5, 42,000 fans watched the band perform for the first time in 20 years at Villa Park, home of the city’s biggest soccer club, Aston Villa, with Osbourne seated on a black throne. Osbourne had been in poor health in recent years, especially after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019.
Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans in the early 2000s reality show “The Osbournes,” in which he starred alongside Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack.
