Birmingham, the hometown of legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne, bid farewell to the musician. Tens of thousands of fans gathered at a large-scale ceremony to honor the memory of their idol, who is called the “godfather of heavy metal.”
The procession began with a performance by the municipal orchestra, which played Osbourne’s most famous compositions, including Iron Man.
The coffin with the musician’s body was carried through the city streets in a hearse decorated with a floral arrangement in the shape of a purple cross.
The cortege passed by landmarks associated with Ozzy’s childhood — the stadium and houses where he grew up — and then headed to Broad Street in the city center. There, he was greeted by crowds of fans chanting the musician’s name and singing in his honor.
A special moment was the stop at Black Sabbath Bridge, where a bench with images of the band’s musicians had been turned into a memorial. Throughout the week, fans brought flowers, letters, beer bottles, and bat-shaped balloons — Osborne’s symbol — to the site.
Ozzy’s family joined the ceremony: his wife Sharon with their children Kelly, Jack, and Amy, his eldest son Louis, Kelly’s fiancé, Slipknot DJ Sid Wilson, and his grandchildren. The ceremony ended with a private farewell attended only by close relatives and friends.