Ozzy Osbourne will be honored today in his hometown of Birmingham. Metal fans from around the world have gathered to pay their respects to the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, who passed away on July 22 at 76.
Osbourne’s last performance was only weeks ago. He played a brief solo set, followed by another with Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward at Birmingham’s Villa Park. Today, his funeral procession will take place along Broad Street, a significant location where fans have been leaving flowers and tributes.
The procession is set to begin at 1 PM UK time. Fans can follow a livestream to join in the farewell before a private family ceremony later today in Buckinghamshire.
Osbourne co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 and is widely credited with shaping the heavy metal genre. Although he was dismissed from the band in 1979 due to personal struggles, he went on to have a successful solo career, thanks to the support of his wife, Sharon. His first solo album, Blizzard of Ozz, dropped in 1980 and was a major hit. He rejoined Black Sabbath in various stints until their final album, 13, in 2013.
Today, notable figures like Elton John and Metallica’s James Hetfield will be among those bidding farewell to Osbourne.
His influence reaches beyond music. According to a recent survey by Rolling Stone, 81% of metal fans cite Black Sabbath as one of their top inspirations. This speaks volumes about Osbourne’s impact. He brought heavy metal from underground clubs to mainstream stages, making a lasting mark on the music scene.
For more updates, fans can visit the official Black Sabbath Bench website for coverage and details on the procession.