The "cradle of metal" pays homage to one of its most beloved icons. On Wednesday, an ocean of Black Sabbath enthusiasts gathered to render their respects to the legendary frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse navigated the streets of Birmingham, the English metropolis where he grew up and where the seminal band was conceived in 1968. The hearse, bearing the remains of Osbourne, who passed away last Tuesday at the age of 76, traversed Broad Street, the city's pulsating artery, towards the Black Sabbath bench, a tribute unveiled on the Broad Street canal bridge in 2019. "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi," chanted the fans in a moving crescendo as the hearse approached.
A cortege of six vehicles, carrying the Osbourne family who sponsored the procession, followed closely behind. The family briefly emerged, with Sharon, his wife of 43 years, visibly touched by the outpouring of emotion. Long-standing fan Antony Hunt described the day as "deeply emotional," expressing his desire to be present in the city to pay his respects. "What's astonishing is the diverse array of ages here—from tiny tots, teenagers, to individuals in their 60s and 70s; it's heartening to witness this unity," he remarked.
Since the announcement of Osbourne's demise, fans have made spiritual journeys to various sites across Birmingham, a city that has embraced its title as the birthplace of heavy metal. Among his contemporaries, the singer was revered as heavy metal's godfather. "Ozzy was more than just a musical legend; he was Birmingham's own," declared city official Zafar Iqbal. "We understand the profound significance this moment holds for his fans."
Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates—Terence Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward—were recently honored with the Freedom of the City in recognition of their immense contributions to Birmingham. The tale of Black Sabbath began in Birmingham in 1968, when the four founding members sought to escape the单调的 life of factory labor. Undeniably, the raw power and fury of heavy metal trace their roots to the city's industrial heritage. Osbourne remained deeply connected to his working-class origins, his Brummie accent an enduring testament.
Black Sabbath is widely acclaimed for defining and popularizing the heavy metal sound—aggressive yet replete with melodies. Osbourne spearheaded the band during its heyday in the 1970s. His legendary antics, both on and off stage, often fueled by alcohol and drugs, earned him the moniker "Prince of Darkness." The band's self-titled debut album in 1970 charted within the UK top 10, setting the stage for a series of hit albums, including 1971's "Master of Reality" and "Vol. 4" the following year. They went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, amassing sales of over 75 million albums worldwide.
At their final concert on July 5, 42,000 fans witnessed Black Sabbath perform for the first time in two decades at Villa Park, home to Aston Villa, the city's prominent soccer club. Osbourne, seated on a majestic black throne, presided over the historic event. In recent years, Osbourne's health had declined, particularly after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Beyond his illustrious career with Black Sabbath, Osbourne also enjoyed a successful solo career and garnered a new fan base through the early 2000s reality show "The Osbournes," where he starred alongside Sharon and their youngest children, Kelly and Jack.
