🖤 Ozzy Cortege to Make Final Trip Through Birmingham: City Prepares Emotional Tribute for a Heavy Metal Legend
Birmingham is preparing to say goodbye to one of its most iconic sons. Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, will be honored with a final cortege procession through the heart of his hometown.
Following his passing on 22 July 2025 at the age of 76, Ozzy’s body will be brought back to Birmingham for fans to pay their last respects. The procession is scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 13:00 BST, moving through Broad Street — a fitting location for a rock legend whose music shook the world and whose legacy began in this very city.
🎸 A Final Journey Through the City That Raised Him
The cortege will pass through Broad Street, heading toward the Black Sabbath Bridge and commemorative bench, where fans have already transformed the site into a sea of flowers, handwritten notes, photos, and rock memorabilia.
Thousands are expected to line the streets for the event, which serves as a public farewell before a private funeral. According to Birmingham City Council, the idea behind this final tribute is to allow Ozzy’s family to witness the love and admiration fans have shown from around the globe.
🎶 Birmingham’s Tribute to Its Rock Royalty
The tribute was first announced by BBC WM presenter Ed James, who confirmed that a hearse carrying Osbourne’s body would pass by the bridge where countless fans continue to gather.
Joining the procession will be local musical group Bostin' Brass, adding a soulful soundtrack to the moment. The city council has coordinated the entire event alongside the Osbourne family — who, in an incredible gesture, have funded all associated costs.
Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal praised the late singer, saying:
“We’re going to pay our last respects and homage to one of the greatest living legends of Birmingham. He put Birmingham on the map. He put Aston on the map.”
🌍 A Global Wave of Love and Loss
The emotional weight of Ozzy’s death has reached far beyond the UK. Fans from Mexico, the USA, and Poland have already made the journey to Birmingham to lay flowers and pay tribute.
The city council confirmed that Broad Street will be closed to traffic from 07:00 BST on the day of the procession. Buses and trams will be rerouted until after the event, with efforts being made to reopen the road as soon as possible afterward.
To accommodate international fans and those who can’t attend, the Black Sabbath bench live stream will continue to operate online.
🎤 From “Prince of Darkness” to Working Class Hero
Ozzy Osbourne’s influence went beyond heavy metal. Born in Aston, Birmingham, he became the voice of a generation through the raw, groundbreaking sound of Black Sabbath. With bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, Ozzy laid the foundations for what would become heavy metal music.
The city honored the band by awarding them the Freedom of the City in June, just before their final performance together at Villa Park, titled Back to the Beginning. It was a historic night that saw surprise appearances from rock legends including members of Metallica and Aerosmith — a fitting farewell to a trailblazing group.
🏛️ More Ways to Remember Ozzy in Birmingham
The procession is just one of many ways Birmingham is remembering its rock legend:
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🎸 Black Sabbath Mural – Located on Navigation Street, this iconic mural draws hundreds of fans daily.
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🐂 Ozzy the Bull – A tribute statue in New Street Station that has become a landmark in its own right.
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🍺 The Station Pub – Known as the birthplace of heavy metal, this is where Black Sabbath played their first gig in 1968.
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🖼️ Working Class Hero Exhibition – Open at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the exhibition was launched by Sharon Osbourne and includes rare photos, memorabilia, and personal stories.
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📖 Book of Condolence – Also available at the museum for fans who wish to leave personal messages to Ozzy and his family.
🕯️ A Moment for the Fans — And for the Family
Though the cortege and public tributes are for the fans, they also serve a deeply personal purpose. They offer Ozzy’s family — including Sharon Osbourne, his children, and longtime bandmates — a moment to witness firsthand just how much he meant to people.
According to the council, Sharon and the family were grateful and moved by the outpouring of love, and expressed their desire for the public to be involved in some way — leading to this special, once-in-a-lifetime event.
🖤 Final Thoughts: Birmingham Bids Farewell to Its Heavy Metal Hero
Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t just a rock star — he was a symbol of resilience, rebellion, and raw talent. His music, his voice, and his larger-than-life personality helped shape the identity of Birmingham on a global stage.
This final cortege through Broad Street is more than just a procession. It’s a thank-you. A salute. A last chance to say goodbye to the man who screamed, laughed, and lived with everything he had — and gave the world unforgettable music in return.
For the city of Birmingham and for fans worldwide, this isn’t just the end of an era — it’s the celebration of a life that left an eternal echo in the history of rock.
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