Ozzy Osbourne fans flock to Birmingham to pay tribute ahead of funeral
The heavy metal star died on July 22 at the age of 76, weeks after he played his final gig in front of a sold-out crowd in the English city.
His hearse was due to go down Birmingham's Broad Street on Wednesday to the Black Sabbath bench on the street's canal bridge. It will be accompanied by family members and a live brass band.
Ozzy will then be laid to rest at a private funeral service.
Thousands of fans have paid their respects to the musician who was instrumental in pioneering heavy metal, with many leaving heartfelt messages and floral tributes at the bridge.
"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. We're proud to host it here with his loving family in the place where it all began."
Broad Street is closed to through traffic and will only reopen after the funeral ends. Buses and trams have been diverted.
Black Sabbath was formed in Birmingham in 1968 and saw huge commercial success in the 70s and 80s.
They went on to become one of the most successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide.
The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Osbourne was added for a second time last year as a solo artist.
Often referred to as the "Prince of Darkness" who once bit a bat while on stage, Ozzy gained notoriety for his outlandish stunts.
At Black Sabbath's final show on July 5, Ozzy performed seated on a black throne in front of 42,000 fans.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019, and had been in poor health recently.
Ozzy also starred in his own reality show The Osbournes alongside his wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack.
AP/AFP
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