Tributes continue to flood in for Ozzy Osbourne from across the world
Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne(Image: 2020 The Recording Academy/Getty Images)
The funeral details for music legend Ozzy Osbourne have been revealed. Ozzy was one of the most influential figures in music history as the frontman of Black Sabbath.
This month, the family issued a joint statement to confirm the Black Sabbath frontman’s death aged 76. It said: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.
“He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”
Ozzy and his fellow original Black Sabbath members – Tony Iommi, Terence “Geezer” Butler and Bill Ward – were the last to appear on stage as part of a star-studded line-up for the Back to the Beginning concert. As he performed from a throne on stage at Villa Park on July 5, the artist told 42,000 fans: “You’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
It has now been revealed that fans will be able to pay their final respects to Ozzy as his body is brought back to his home city for a procession on Wednesday, July 30.
His hearse will make its way through Birmingham, travelling alongside his family to Broad Street from 1pm, the city council has announced. The cortege, accompanied by musicians Bostin Brass, will stop at the Black Sabbath bridge and bench, where thousands of fans have been gathering since the heavy metal icon died last week aged 76 to leave flowers and tributes.
Birmingham Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal said the city where Ozzy grew up will give him the “farewell he deserves”. He said “Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham.
The Lord Mayor continued: “Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral. We know how much this moment will mean to his fans.
Tributes have been paid to the rock legend(Image: Getty Images)
“We’re proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves.”
Ozzy’s Black Sabbath bandmates paid tribute to the frontman after his death. It came just two weeks after a huge reunion show in their hometown of Birmingham.
Tributes poured in from the world of music and beyond, bassist and primary lyricist of the band, Geezer Butler, posted a message to social media. He wrote: “Goodbye dear friend- thanks for all those years- we had some great fun. Four kids from Aston- who’d have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston.
Ozzy was a pioneer of heavy metal. He styled himself as the Prince of Darkness and hits such as War Pigs and Paranoid forever cemented his music legacy.
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi took to X to share a tribute to his former bandmate. He wrote: “I just can’t believe it! My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park.
“It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother. My thoughts go out to [Ozzy’s wife] Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in peace Oz.”
Despite a rocky relationship over the years, drummer of the band Bill Ward said on X: “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart.
“Deepest condolences to Sharon and all family members. RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever. Bill Ward.”
The band previously posted a picture of Ozzy on stage at their final gig and simply wrote: “Ozzy Forever.” Ozzy had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019. He announced the diagnosis on Good Morning America in 2020 as he said: “It’s been terribly challenging for us all.”