Ozzy Osbourne has taken his ultimate tour of Birmingham – together with his household experiencing the love of hundreds of followers who turned out to see the heavy steel star come dwelling.
“We love you, Ozzy!” got here the shouts from the gang as his cortege stopped at Black Sabbath Bridge within the metropolis, a website that has turn out to be a shrine to the performer since his loss of life at 76 final week.
His household and family members, together with his spouse Sharon Osbourne and their kids Jack, Kelly and Aimee, spent a number of minutes taking in all of the flowers, messages and different tributes left in an outpouring of affection from followers.
Picture:
Jack, Sharon and Kelly Osbourne laid flowers. Pic: PA
Sharon was in tears as she took all of it in. Supported by her kids she gave a peace signal to the gang earlier than returning to the procession autos.
Every member of the family carried a pink rose, wrapped in black paper tied with a purple ribbon – the standard Black Sabbath colors. The flowers bearing his title within the hearse had been additionally purple.
Earlier than reaching the town centre, the cortege had travelled previous Ozzy’s childhood dwelling in Aston. Just some weeks in the past, he was on stage at Villa Park performing his ultimate gig alongside most of the musicians his music had impressed, from Metallica to Weapons’n’Roses to Yungblud.
Heavy steel, actuality TV and biting bats: Ozzy Osbourne obituary
Picture:
Tributes to Ozzy may be seen throughout Birmingham. Pic: Reuters
On a vastly emotional day, his presence may very well be felt all through the town, with the star’s music taking part in in pubs and posters paying tribute: “Birmingham will always love you.”
For followers, this was an opportunity to say not simply goodbye, but in addition thanks to a star who by no means forgot the place he got here from. His outstanding achievements from humble beginnings and continued love for his hometown, even when he lived hundreds of miles away in Los Angeles, meant that for a lot of, the loss feels extremely private.
Picture:
The Black Sabbath Bridge has turn out to be a shrine in current days. Pic: Reuters
‘The Prince of Laughter – not Darkness’
“It was a shock he left us so soon after [the show],” he mentioned. “The show was tough for him but he was determined to say goodbye to his fans, that was the main thing. It was important for all four of [Black Sabbath] to get back together and do a farewell.
“The tears will likely be flowing right this moment to see the Ozz man – the Prince of Laughter, not Darkness. He actually was. We’ll all miss him.”
Picture:
Pic: Reuters
‘My mum used to say he was a stunning boy’
Chris Mason, normal supervisor of The Brasshouse pub, which is subsequent to Black Sabbath Bridge, mentioned music by the band and Ozzy’s solo materials had been performed just about “on loop” since his loss of life.
“I’m a metal fan and Ozzy being the godfather of the scene – if not for Ozzy and Black Sabbath, we wouldn’t have heavy metal,” he mentioned. “This is what Birmingham is about, bringing people together, and Ozzy and Black Sabbath did that.
“He was Mr Birmingham and his household have introduced him again.”
Mohabbat Ali, who used to live on the same street as Ozzy’s childhood home, said the property had become one of the focal points for tributes in the city.
Describing what it was like living near him, he said: “He performed guitars, very loud at night time generally, however my mum used to say he was a stunning boy.”
From an period of preening rock gods, Ozzy was the actual deal
Katie Spencer
The ocean of black was all the time a given – however this wasn’t about respecting funeral traditions. Ozzy himself had beforehand mentioned he needed his send-off, when it got here, to be a celebration and never a “mope-fest”.
This was his ultimate tour within the metropolis that meant a lot to him.
For followers, he meant a lot to them.
For his household, the emotion was uncooked.
Sharon, his soulmate, has spent her life and profession organising his exhibits, and it was clear how onerous this present day was for her.
After they left, followers flooded the streets to put flowers.
Not since David Bowie has an artist’s loss of life prompted such an outpouring of emotion. From an period of preening rock gods, Ozzy was the actual deal – one of the vital infamous figures in rock, however a person who remained as Brummie as may be.
‘A real legend who by no means forgot his roots’
Birmingham’s lord mayor, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, additionally attended the procession and spoke of the town’s satisfaction in Ozzy.
“What a great honour for us to have him here one last time,” he mentioned. “The love for Ozzy – well, you can feel it in the air.”
The star put each Aston and Birmingham on the map, he mentioned, and all the time took the time to get to know individuals.
Mr Iqbal mentioned Ozzy despatched him a letter after studying on the mayor’s web site biography how he had struggled with dyslexia in school – one thing the star recognized with.
“I’ve got the letter in a frame and it’s in my office… he was just a natural human being, down to earth. You wouldn’t have known he was a rock star – but he was a true legend, who never forgot his roots.”
