A final farewell was paid to Ozzy Osbourne today (Wednesday) as his funeral procession passed through the heart of his hometown, Birmingham, England, where he gave his final performance on July 5th -- both solo and with Black Sabbath.
Fans lined the streets to get a glimpse of the hearse carrying his casket, which was adorned with a purple floral arrangement of his name, "Ozzy," while a crucifix of purple flowers adorned the roof of the car.
His family followed in a Mercedes van and stepped out at the Black Sabbath Bridge to lay flowers and read notes left by fans. His wife Sharon, wearing his ring on a chain around her neck, was understandably overcome with emotion. With the crowd chanting "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy" and "Oi, Oi, Oi," she flashed the peace sign while supported by two of her three children -- Jack and Kelly -- while her other daughter Aimee stood next to them.
The procession was led by a local marching band, Bostin’ Brass, who performed a number of jazzy instrumental Black Sabbath and Ozzy songs, including “Iron Man” and “Crazy Train,” per Ozzy's wished, who said he wanted his funeral to be “a celebration, not a mope-fest.”
A private service will reportedly be held tomorrow (Thursday) at a church in Gerrards Cross, Bucks before he is laid to rest on the grounds of his estate in Buckinghamshire.
Ozzy died on July 22nd at 76. The cause of death has not been announced, but he did have Parkinson's disease and other ailments.
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