Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne died aged 76 on July 22, just weeks after his emotional farewell gig with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in his home city of Birmingham
Ozzy Osbourne fans will pay their respects to the Prince of Darkness at his funeral on Wednesday (July 30).
The Prince of Darkness sadly died on July 22 at the age of 76, just weeks after his epic final show with Black Sabbath at Villa Park in Birmingham. His wife Sharon Osbourne and children announced his passing in a heartbreaking joint statement.
They said: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”
And fans will get to say goodbye to the heavy metal legend as his funeral cortege travels through his home city of Birmingham before a private funeral. Ozzy will be driven in a hearse through the city to a private funeral.
When is the funeral procession?
Ozzy’s body will be taken in a hearse through Birmingham’s Broad Street from about 1pm on Wednesday (July 30). Broad Street will be closed off from about 7am, with buses and trams diverted during the event.
Fans wanting to pay their respects to the rock titan have been urged to arrive early, to use public transport and follow safety guidance. Stewards will be on hand to help visitors.
Which route will the funeral procession take?
Ozzy’s funeral procession will slowly make its way to the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, where fans have left floral tributes and messages to the music legend. Fans will also hear a live brass band performance by musicians from Bostin’ Brass as the funeral procession moves along Broad Street.
A tram named after Ozzy will be parked nearby outside Birmingham Library as the cortege travels through the city. The city council said they’re expecting large crowds of fans to pay their respects to Ozzy, who “helped shape the global heavy metal genre” and “proudly carried the spirit of Birmingham”.
A private funeral service will take place at a church in Gerrards Cross, Bucks. The council said it had worked “at pace” to organise the the event with Osbourne’s family, who have helped fund it.
The city’s mayor, councillor Zafar Iqbal, said in a statement: “Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham. Having recently been awarded the Freedom of the City and following his celebrated appearance at the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park earlier this month, it was important to the city that we support a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral.
He added: “We know how much this moment will mean to his fans. We’re proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves.”
Which famous guests are attending?
The likes of Elton John and Ozzy’s Black Sabbath bandmates are expected to be attending the legend’s final farewell. A source told The Sun: “His Sabbath bandmates, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler, will be there, along with James Hetfield from Metallica.
“Elton John is also hoping to join the family at the church. Sharon and his family have been so touched by messages they received not only from Ozzy’s friends, but also his fans around the world.”
It’s also believed singer Yungblud will be at the funeral, after forming a close bond with Ozzy in his final years. He’s also expected to give a reading at the funeral.
Ozzy’s wife Sharon and his children Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis will be at the event. They will reportedly travel in cars behind the hearse.
How can I watch the funeral?
Fans who are unable to attend the funeral will still be able to watch the proceedings from home as a live stream has been made available. The livestream, which you watch here, will continue to run throughout the event and the site encourages fans to take selfies with the bench.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
