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Topics: Ozzy Osbourne, Celebrity, Sharon Osbourne, Music
Anish Vij
Topics: Ozzy Osbourne, Celebrity, Sharon Osbourne, Music
Ozzy Osbourne supporters will have the opportunity to pay their respects to the late singer who was granted his heartbreaking final wish.
The music world was left in shock last week (22 July) following the announcement of Ozzy's death at the age of 76.
Heavy metal's 'Prince of Darkness' died from Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological condition that affects general movement and brain function.
"Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. It’s not something you can stabilise. It affects different parts of the body and it’s affected his legs," Sharon Osbourne, his wife of 43 years, said in an interview with The Sun in February. "But his voice is as good as it’s ever been."
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Well, it seems Sharon was able to grant her late husband's 'final wish' prior to his death.
Black Sabbath was originally formed in Birmingham and Ozzy was able to perform with the band during their last ever live performance on 5 July at Villa Park in Aston.
It comes after the singer, born in Marston Green, Warwickshire, spoke about returning to the UK back in 2022 after 25 years of living in Beverly Hills with his three children.
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"Everything’s f**king ridiculous [in America]," Ozzy told the Observer in 2022: "I’m fed up with people getting killed every day.
"God knows how many people have been shot in school shootings. And there was that mass shooting in Vegas at that concert. … it’s f**king crazy."
Ozzy's relocation to the UK had to be delayed due to his health, but it was confirmed he died at home in Buckinghamshire, his final wish to return having being fulfilled.
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Ozzy's body will be brought back to Birmingham for a procession on Wednesday (30 July).
The metal icon's family will drive through Broad Street from 1pm alongside his hearse, which will stop at the Black Sabbath bridge and bench.
Anyone unable to attend in person will be able to watch a livestream of the part of the funeral procession at the Black Sabbath bench here.
Following this, Ozzy will be laid to rest in a private family funeral.
Birmingham Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal said: “Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham.
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“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.”
“We know how much this moment will mean to his fans,” he added.
“We’re proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began, and we are grateful that they have generously offered to pay to enable this to happen and support the city is giving him the farewell he deserves.”