Ozzy Osbourne honored in hometown: Thousands of fans will pay their final farewell

Footage from Ozzy Osbourne's funeral

Ozzy Osbourne fans will have the opportunity to say their final goodbye to their idol in his hometown of Birmingham.

The memorial motorcade will pass through downtown Birmingham tomorrow afternoon, accompanied by his family and musicians from the Boston Brass band.

The memorial march will start at 1:00 PM from Broad Street and will stop at the city's symbolic point, the "Black Sabbath Bridge", where since the day Ozzy's passing was announced, fans have left flowers and messages of love every day.

Thousands of fans are expected to gather to honor the man considered one of the founders of the heavy metal genre.

The Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, said:

"Ozzy was not just a musical legend, he was a Birmingham boy. Following his recent Freedom of the City award and emotional performance at Villa Park, we felt compelled to pay him a dignified and public tribute."

Local authorities have worked closely with the family to organize this farewell, while a private funeral ceremony will be held later with the participation of only family and closest friends. 

Just three weeks ago, Ozzy Osbourne took to the stage for the last time at a historic concert at Villa Park Stadium. The show, titled “Back to the Beginning,” reunited the original members of Black Sabbath: Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for the last time, a full 56 years after the band formed in the same city.

Over 42,000 fans were present on the unforgettable night. 

"I can't describe in words how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for everything," he said at the time.

He had announced that due to his health condition, after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2020, this would be his last performance on stage.

Ozzy Osbourne passed away last week at the age of 76. In an official statement, his family said:

“He left surrounded by love.”

The legendary musician left behind his wife, Sharon, and five children: Jessica, Louis, Amy, Kelly and Jack.