Birmingham’s most famous son gets the send-off he deserves, with funeral procession plans that mirror the authenticity he brought to five decades of metal mastery. The Prince of Darkness, who died July 22 at age 76, specifically requested celebration over mourning—and his hometown listened. This isn’t just ceremonial pageantry; it’s a city saying goodbye to the voice that put Birmingham on the global metal map while Black Sabbath was busy inventing heavy music in dingy rehearsal rooms.
A City Celebrates Its Metal Son
The procession begins at Ozzy’s family home at 1 PM local time, winding through Birmingham’s heart to iconic Broad Street. Strategic stops include the Black Sabbath Bench and Bridge—locations that transformed into impromptu shrines since his passing, buried under flowers and handwritten tributes from metalheads worldwide. The Bostin Brass Band leading this final journey feels more authentic than any overproduced tribute concert ever could.
Black Sabbath members join the procession alongside Yungblud, creating an intergenerational bridge that Ozzy himself would appreciate. City officials coordinated extensively with the Osbourne family, closing central roads from 7 AM to accommodate massive expected crowds.
Honoring the Prince’s Final Wishes
“This is a fitting, dignified tribute for the city’s beloved son,” declares Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal, capturing Birmingham’s pride in their metal pioneer. True to form, Ozzy’s own wishes shaped these plans—he wanted gratitude and celebration, not somber mourning. The public procession honors that spirit while respecting family privacy during the subsequent private service.
For global fans unable to make the pilgrimage, Birmingham Museum offers a live stream focused on the Black Sabbath Bench starting 8 AM EST. A digital condolence book accompanies their Ozzy-focused exhibition, proving that even in death, the Prince of Darkness brings people together across continents.
The metal community’s response has been swift and heartfelt—streaming numbers for both Black Sabbath and solo material have spiked dramatically, while tribute posts flood social media from musicians he influenced.
See you on the otherside Ozzy. Your chance to participate in music history happens July 30, whether you’re standing on Birmingham streets or streaming from anywhere metal lives.
