**Sharon Osbourne in Tears at Birmingham Procession Paying Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne**
Sharon Osbourne, widow of legendary Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne, was overcome with emotion as she joined her family in Birmingham for a moving procession commemorating the iconic musician’s extraordinary life. The city, regarded as the birthplace of heavy metal, became the backdrop for an outpouring of grief and celebration after Ozzy’s passing at the age of 76 last week.
The emotional event, which saw fans line the streets, was marked by cheers and chants of “Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!” as a hearse bearing the singer’s coffin travelled through his childhood district of Aston. Adorned with purple flowers spelling out his name, the funeral procession paused outside Ozzy’s formative family home, a modest terraced house near Villa Park, where flowers and a heartfelt photograph adorned the property’s front window. The sight drew small crowds of dedicated admirers, as well as the house’s current residents, all gathering to say their silent farewells.
Sharon, flanked by her children Aimee, Jack and Kelly, made a poignant stop at Birmingham’s now-famous Black Sabbath bench on Broad Street. This spot has become an unofficial place of pilgrimage for fans, who have covered it in bouquets, balloons, and handwritten notes. As musicians from Bostin Brass performed classic Black Sabbath hits, the poignancy of Ozzy’s legacy resonated through the city centre.
During the tribute, Sharon was seen embracing the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, visibly moved by the overwhelming support and affection displayed by the city and its people. Both Jack and Kelly Osbourne could hardly contain their tears as the family viewed the sea of tributes and messages, which reflected the breadth of Ozzy’s influence over generations of music lovers.
Many of those gathered spoke of Ozzy as more than just a superstar. Goose, a lifelong fan, described how discovering Black Sabbath’s music as a teen made him—and many others worldwide—feel seen and understood. “He was a constant presence, someone who always felt like a family member,” Goose shared with reporters. “He gave something to the world that’s become part of so many lives.”
Another attendee, Evie Mayo of Wolverhampton, underscored the profound effect Ozzy had on Birmingham’s community and its musical identity. “He was an inspirational person who truly left his mark, especially here,” she explained. Inspired by the singer’s talent, Evie revealed her personal motivation to learn guitar, driven by her love of Ozzy’s music and the desire to play his songs herself.
The collective grief was balanced by a sense of gratitude. Fans and city officials alike highlighted the enduring legacy of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, who were recently awarded the Freedom of Birmingham—an honour reserved for those deemed to have provided exceptional service to the city. Formed in 1968, Black Sabbath are widely credited with pioneering the heavy metal genre, a cultural contribution etched into music history.
Ozzy Osbourne’s career flourished far beyond his iconic time with Black Sabbath. His solo albums brought chart success and introduced his distinctive sound to new audiences. In the 2000s, reality television show ‘The Osbournes,’ co-starring Sharon, Kelly and Jack, made the family household names around the globe. The show offered an intimate, often irreverent glimpse into their daily lives and earned Ozzy a fresh wave of admirers.
The procession comes weeks after Ozzy’s last public performance, a special show on the 5th of July featuring fellow giants of rock including Anthrax, Metallica, and Guns N’ Roses. The event now stands as a fitting send-off for a man who, despite his 2019 Parkinson’s diagnosis and recent health struggles, remained a towering presence in the music world until the end.
As the city of Birmingham and fans worldwide reflect on Ozzy Osbourne’s remarkable impact, Sharon and her family’s attendance at the procession stands as a testament to the deep bond between the late rocker and those he inspired. The multitude of tributes lining the streets serves not only as a final farewell but also a powerful reminder of music’s ability to unite and heal across generations.