The final farewell for the Prince of Darkness takes place today, as Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral cortege will make its way through the British rocker’s hometown of Birmingham.
Thousands of fans will get a chance to pay their respects to the Black Sabbath singer and heavy metal pioneer as the procession travels along the city centre’s Broad Street from 2pm CET today.
The hearse will then make its way to the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, where thousands have already come together to leave flowers in tribute to the artist.
“We’re going to pay our last respects and homage to one of the greatest living legends of Birmingham,” said Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal. “He put Birmingham on the map. He put Aston on the map.”
Iqbal added that it was important to the city to give the star "a fitting, dignified tribute ahead of a private family funeral".
There has also been a book of condolences open at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, alongside the Ozzy Osbourne Working Class Hero exhibition. Fans (including Iqbal) have been queuing extensively for the chance to write in the book.
Speaking about today’s tribute with the BBC, Iqbal said about the fans that the “love they showed Ozzy and his family was immense”, and that he was grateful to the Osbourne family for funding all of the associated costs and enabling the event to go ahead.
The city council said for those not able to make the event, the live stream of the Black Sabbath bench will continue to be viewed online.
Ozzy died at the age of 76 on 22 July, shortly after he took to the stage for the Back To The Beginning farewell gig in Birmingham on 5 July.
Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates Terence "Geezer" Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward were awarded the Freedom of the City in June, before the Back To The Beginning show, honouring their "significance to the cultural and musical identity of Birmingham".
Ozzy’s cause of death has not yet been revealed, but the rocker was dealing with numerous health issues, including Parkinson’s Disease.
His "final bow" gig with his Sabbath bandmates at Villa Park raised about £140m (€160m) for charity. A film documenting the gig is currently in production and is set to hit theatres next year.
