BIRMINGHAM, UK – The streets of Birmingham, the industrial heartland that forged heavy metal, fell silent on Wednesday to honor one of its most famous sons. Thousands of fans, many clad in black and the iconic logos of Black Sabbath, lined the roads to pay their final respects as the funeral procession of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne made its way through the city.

The procession, a final public journey for the self-proclaimed "Prince of Darkness," began in Aston, the working-class district where John "Ozzy" Osbourne grew up. The black hearse, followed by vehicles carrying close family and friends, traveled a route reportedly chosen to pass by significant locations from his early life. The atmosphere was a somber yet celebratory mix of grief and gratitude for the musician who put Birmingham on the global music map.

As reported by the BBC and local outlets, the crowd was a diverse gathering of generations, from original 1970s fans to younger followers drawn to his rebellious spirit and reality TV fame. They stood in respectful silence, punctuated by spontaneous applause as the cortege passed. Many held flowers, handwritten signs, and rock-and-roll memorabilia.

A City's Tribute to Its Icon

The public display of mourning underscores Osbourne's deep and enduring connection to Birmingham. Long after achieving global stardom, he frequently spoke of his pride in his origins, and the city, in turn, embraced him as a local hero. In 2019, a tram on the West Midlands Metro was named in his honor.

"He was one of us," Sarah Jenkins, a 52-year-old fan who traveled from nearby Wolverhampton, told reporters. "He came from nothing, from these same streets, and he created something that changed the world. He gave a voice to people who felt they didn't have one."

This sentiment was echoed in the many personal tributes on display. One fan was photographed holding a stuffed bat aloft, a poignant and knowing nod to one of Osbourne's most infamous on-stage moments. It was a symbol of the unique blend of macabre showmanship and raw authenticity that defined his career.

The Enduring Legacy of an Original

Ozzy Osbourne's impact extends far beyond his chaotic public persona. As the original frontman for Black Sabbath, he is widely credited as a principal architect of the heavy metal genre. The band's dark, sludgy riffs and Osbourne's distinctive wail, born from the sounds of Birmingham's factories, provided a stark contrast to the psychedelic rock of the late 1960s and created a new musical language.

After his departure from Black Sabbath, he launched an immensely successful solo career with hits like "Crazy Train" and "No More Tears," cementing his status as a rock icon. His later-life resurgence as a television personality on the MTV reality show The Osbournes introduced him to a new generation and offered a surprising, often chaotic, glimpse into his family life.

A statement released by the Osbourne family expressed "profound gratitude for the overwhelming love and support from fans around the world, and especially from the people of Birmingham." The family has requested privacy for a planned private funeral service.

As the procession concluded its journey, the echoes of his music could be heard from cars and storefronts—a final, thunderous send-off. For Birmingham, the day was not just a farewell to a rock star, but a tribute to the unyielding spirit of a local lad who never truly left home.