The city that birthed heavy metal is preparing for an emotional farewell as the cortege of its beloved “Prince of Darkness,” Ozzy Osbourne, will make a final, poignant procession through the heart of Birmingham on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. The public tribute, announced by Birmingham City Council, offers fans a chance to bid a final, fitting goodbye to the legendary Black Sabbath frontman ahead of a private family funeral.
Thousands are expected to line Broad Street from 1:00 PM BST as the hearse carrying Osbourne, who passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at the age of 76, makes its slow journey. The procession will culminate at the iconic Black Sabbath Bridge and bench, a shrine that has been overflowing with heartfelt messages, flowers, and memorabilia since the news of his death.
The event, meticulously coordinated between Birmingham City Council and the Osbourne family, who are generously funding all associated costs, aims to be a dignified yet celebratory tribute. “Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham,” stated Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE, JP. “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.”
Adding to the momentous occasion, a live brass band, Bostin’ Brass, composed of local musicians, will accompany the cortege, providing a final musical moment to honor Osbourne’s extraordinary life and legacy. This musical touch is particularly poignant, given Osbourne’s deep connection to his working-class roots in Aston and how Black Sabbath forged a revolutionary sound that resonated globally.
For fans unable to attend the procession in person, a live stream of the Black Sabbath bench will continue to operate online, ensuring that admirers from around the world can witness this historic moment. The city has also opened a book of condolence at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, alongside the ongoing “Ozzy Osbourne Working Class Hero” exhibition, which was opened by Sharon Osbourne just last month.
Road closures will be in effect on Broad Street from 7:00 AM on Wednesday, with buses and trams diverted, to ensure the safety of the expected large crowds. Stewards will be on hand to guide visitors, who are encouraged to arrive early and utilize public transport.
Ozzy Osbourne’s bond with Birmingham was unbreakable. Despite his global fame and years spent living abroad, he always remained fiercely proud of his heritage. He often spoke of his desire to return home to the UK, a move delayed by his battle with Parkinson’s disease and various spinal surgeries. His final concert at Villa Park just weeks before his passing, where he performed from a “large black throne,” was a testament to his enduring connection to his roots and his fans.
The procession marks a bittersweet moment for the city that Ozzy helped put on the map as the birthplace of heavy metal. It’s a chance for Birmingham to collectively mourn and celebrate a local hero who, in the words of the Lord Mayor, “put this place on the map, and everyone could relate to him.” As his cortege makes its way through the streets he once roamed, it will be a final, thunderous salute to the Prince of Darkness, ensuring his spirit forever echoes in the heart of Birmingham.