Ozzy Osbourne's relatives joined the rock icon's casket on a heartfelt last trip through his hometown, observed by thousands of fans who applauded and shouted his name.
Sharon Osbourne, emotional and with tears in her eyes, placed a pink rose among many memorials left by fans in central Birmingham, comforted by family members such as her children Kelly and Jack.
The massive crowd generated an intense environment, offering the heavy metal legend a respectful yet appropriately loud farewell as they shouted: "Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!"
The funeral parade was accompanied by a brass band performing songs by Black Sabbath, while Ozzy's remains were carried in a hearse decorated with a purple flower arrangement shaped like a cross.
A private ceremony is anticipated to occur on Thursday.
The parade occurred one week following Ozzy's passing at the age of 76, and just under a month after his successful final concert attended by 40,000 fans at Villa Park stadium.
On Wednesday, the procession passed by the stadium and his childhood residence before entering Birmingham's downtown area, where supporters dressed in Ozzy and Sabbath clothing gathered along Broad Street. Some individuals tossed flowers, while impromptu chants and group singing took place among the crowd.
- Follow the news: Birmingham honors Ozzy Osbourne
The parade came to a halt at Black Sabbath Bridge, where a bench featuring pictures of the band's members has been transformed into an impromptu tribute.
In the last seven days, supporters have been placing flowers, notes, used beer bottles, and bat-shaped balloons – a nod to the notorious 1982 event where the rock rebel removed a bat's head during a performance.
As Sharon exited her vehicle, she was assisted—both physically and emotionally—by Kelly and Jack, who stood on either side of her as she placed her rose onto the collection of floral memorials. Kelly and Jack also added their own flowers, along with Aimee, the sister, and Louis, Ozzy's son from his first marriage.
They were joined by other members of the Ozzy family, including his grandchildren and Kelly's fiancé, Slipknot DJ Sid Wilson.
Relatives embraced while they spent five minutes viewing the memorials and absorbing the atmosphere of the gathering.
Fans expressed their support with shouts of "We love you Ozzy!", "Ozzy for life!" and "Sharon, we adore you!"
Sharon greeted the fans by lifting his arms and making a peace gesture before returning to the people carrier, with the procession moving on past additional mourners.
A supporter named Pete Coles from Nuneaton mentioned that the audience had a mix of feelings.
"Some individuals have come to honor and recall the positive moments and memories they shared with him. However, respect for Ozzy, I believe, is the central sentiment I have sensed here," he said to zaia newsNews.
It is a joy simply to be present, to immerse oneself in the ambiance that surrounds us, filled with feelings and individuals gathered to honor this musical icon.
Eddie Hayes, 19, came from Newcastle to attend the event. "People like Ozzy will never come along again," he mentioned. "He's truly one of a kind. There's no one else like him, neither musically nor in terms of personality."
I have spent three or four hours traveling, but it's completely worthwhile for those five minutes.
Another supporter, Will Brain, 27, from Worcester, described the parade as "very poetic."
"It demonstrates the number of people who cherished him and the impact he had on countless lives through his music," he stated.
It was deeply moving. Witnessing the family and seeing Sharon, along with their distress, was quite difficult to watch.
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