Fans will be given a chance to pay their respects to heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne when his cortege travels through his home city of Birmingham today.
The Black Sabbath singer's body will be brought back for a procession that will travel along Broad Street in the city centre as a hearse will make its way to the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench where thousands of fans have left messages and floral tributes. The Lord Mayor of Birmingham Zafar Iqbal said: "We're going to pay our last respects and homage to one of the greatest living legends of Birmingham."
Osbourne’s death on July 22, aged 76, came less than three weeks since he took part, along with his band mates, in the band's farewell ‘Back to the Beginning’ gig, where dozens of musicians, including members of Metallica and Aerosmith, performed at the Villa Park concert. The event, which takes place ahead of a private funeral, will allow his family a chance to see the many memories his loyal fans have left alongside flowers and tributes, the council said.
Local musicians Bostin' Brass will accompany the procession. Describing him as a "son of Birmingham", Mr. Iqbal said: "He put Birmingham on the map. He put Aston on the map." People from as far away as Mexico, the USA and Poland have since travelled to the city to add to a sea of flowers and messages at the Black Sabbath Bridge.
Broad Street will be closed to traffic, with trams and buses diverted throughout the day. It will reopen as soon as it possibly can, after the event, a city council spokesperson said.
