Thousands of people lined the streets of Birmingham this afternoon for the funeral of Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman who died last week aged 76.
Images of “Ozzy Forever” posters and of Osbourne’s wife Sharon Osbourne and his family members laying flowers in the center of Birmingham could be seen this afternoon.
Fans of Black Sabbath lined the streets and memorials were taking place throughout the city of Birmingham, where Osbourne was born and where Black Sabbath was formed.
Chants of “Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy” were reported to have rung out. Ozzy’s wife Sharon was seen in images to be visibly emotional. She is well known on British and American screens for her appearances on The X Factor, America’s Got Talent and reality series The Osbournes.
Image: Jacob King/PA Images via Getty
Osbourne’s death was announced last week. No cause of death was given but he had endured numerous health problems in recent years.
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in England, he co-founded the ever-influential and controversial Black Sabbath in 1968 with guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward. Draped in demonic lyrical themes and often-foreboding music, the British quartet was a near-instant success and helped birth and define the heavy metal genre. Many of its songs, as well as Osbourne’s solo hits, remain staples on classic rock radio.
He rejoined Iommi, Butler and Ward for a well-publicized farewell show for 40,000 fans in Birmingham alongside greats like Metallica, Alice in Chains and Guns N’ Roses.
Last week, we revealed the BBC is locked in conversations over the future of a long-gestating documentary series about the Osbourne family.
Image: Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty
Image: Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty
