Watch: Ozzy’s Funeral Procession Drew Crowds to the Streets of Birmingham as Family Grieves

We should all be so lucky as John Michael Osbourne, known the world over as Ozzy. Growing up in a rough and tumble town like post-war Birmingham must not have been easy for anyone at that time, but he persevered. He found likeminded individuals and then he helped create a musical genre with Black Sabbath that despite what this website’s moniker, is one of the best things to happen to millions around the world. He wrote and played iconic music to fans the world over, partied hard, made mistakes, made up for those mistakes, and when it was all said and done, he came home, rocked out one more time, and left us in the very same place he started all those years ago.

Earlier today, the funeral procession for Ozzy Osbourne made its way through the iconic figure’s hometown. A little more than a week after his passing on July 22 at the age of 76, the city where it all began ensured an almost state funeral for Osbourne, with everything culminating at the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench. Though you might not have recognized the location, given how it’s now completely covered in tributes from fans from all over the world as one final show of love for the “Prince of Darkness.”

At 1 p.m. BST, the hearse carrying Ozzy’s body and the cortège transporting his family to the musician’s final resting place traveled slowly, solemnly down Broad Street. Marching in front of the procession was the local brass ensemble Bostin’ Brass, who performed lively versions of songs from Ozzy’s career, giving a lively soundtrack to what was undoubtedly one of the hardest days for the Osbourne clan. Yet it made sense, since it was the music that brought everyone together — Ozzy’s gift to the world that ensured not just his place in heavy metal history, but in the annals of time all together.

Along the procession, fans gathered to say goodbye and pay their respects. Throngs of people in black metal shirts, crying, singing, watching as their hero passed them down the street. The cortège making its final stop at the Black Sabbath Bench, where a livestream had been setup. And while the family had already held its private funeral service for Ozzy earlier in the day, this was the moment people had been waiting for. It was a chance for Ozzy to see the outpouring of love one last time.

And even in this final show of support, the Osbournes gave back to Birmingham. They paid for the entire procession and the public event. They coordinated with Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Metro, West Midlands Police, and local businesses to make sure things ran smoothly and didn’t disrupt things too much. While thousands mourned on the city streets, the rest of the bustling city was able to move on with its day.

All of this comes just weeks after Ozzy’s final performance during the ‘Back to the Beginning’ show on July 5. Visibly frail and unable to perform the way he used to, bounding across the stage and dousing people with buckets of water, it was obvious that the man we’d come to know all these years was putting everything he had into that last show. He went out the way presumably all rock stars would love to — giving one final performance to a capacity crowd and viewed the world over. Loved and adored by their fans forevermore.

Ozzy and the rest of Black Sabbath have been given a lot of recognition over the years. Awards, entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Freedom of the City from Birmingham itself… but nothing could possibly mean more than the love and support of fans they’ve garnered over the decades.

So as we all continue to say goodbye to Ozzy Osbourne and the night now fully ensnares Birmingham, there’s just one final thing to keep in mind after all this. There will never be another Ozzy Osbourne. We were fortunate to share a time and place with the man, but now it’s up to us to keep his memory going. We must remember to play his music loud and share it with younger generations. By doing that, he’ll never truly be gone.

Rest in peace, Ozzy.