Farewell to the Prince of Darkness: Honouring the Legacy of Ozzy Osbourne

The world of rock lost one of its loudest and most iconic voices on 22 July 2025, as Ozzy Osbourne – the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath – passed away at the age of 76. Just over a week later, thousands of fans flooded the streets of Birmingham, the city that shaped him, to say their final goodbyes in a public funeral procession. At Kid Vicious, we pay tribute to Ozzy’s legacy – a legacy that lives on through generations of fans, young and old.

A City Says Goodbye: The Birmingham Funeral Procession

On 30 July, Birmingham came to a standstill as Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral procession made its way down Broad Street. Fans gathered around the now-iconic Black Sabbath Bench on the Black Sabbath Bridge – a landmark Ozzy helped unveil back in 2018. It was transformed into a shrine of flowers, personal messages, photographs, and candles.

A local brass band, Bostin’ Brass, performed a moving version of “Iron Man”, with thousands of fans joining in chants of “Ozzy! Ozzy!” as the cortege passed. The city’s Lord Mayor, Zafar Iqbal, called it a “fitting and dignified tribute” to one of Birmingham’s most influential sons.

Following behind the hearse were Sharon Osbourne and the couple’s children – Kelly, Jack, Aimee, and Louis – all visibly moved as they stopped at the bench to pay their final respects.

The event wasn’t just a farewell – it was a celebration of Ozzy’s unparalleled contribution to music and a reminder that his legacy belongs to the people.

A Private Farewell in Buckinghamshire

After the public procession, the Osbourne family held a private funeral the next day (31 July) at their Buckinghamshire estate. Ozzy’s coffin was buried beside a quiet lake, with a tree planted nearby in accordance with his wishes – he had always been adamant that he didn’t want to be cremated.

The guest list was intimate but legendary. Among those in attendance were Zakk Wylde, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, and Corey Taylor – all of whom had been touched deeply by Ozzy’s influence, guidance, and friendship over the years.

Marilyn Manson described the ceremony as “beautiful”, calling Ozzy a “beloved friend” and a “light in a dark world”. Guests received a memorial card with a photo of Ozzy and a cross – a subtle, dignified nod to his faith and mystique.

Tributes from Family: Loss and Legacy

Perhaps the most heartfelt tributes came from Ozzy’s family. Kelly Osbourne took to social media to post a powerful image of a floral arrangement at the lakeside, spelling out “Ozzy F***ing Osbourne” in bold letters – a raw, funny and fitting tribute to a man who never toned anything down.

In a deeply emotional post, she wrote:

“Losing my dad is the hardest thing I have ever gone through. I’m not doing OK. I won’t be for a while. But I want to thank everyone for their love – it really does help.”

Aimee Osbourne, who had long kept her distance from the family’s public life, appeared at both the procession and private funeral. Her brother Jack later revealed they hadn’t been close for some time, but grief had brought them together.

That’s what Ozzy would have wanted – family united, fans included, all standing together under the banner of heavy metal and love.

A Final Bow: Back to the Beginning

Just weeks before his death, Ozzy performed one final time with Black Sabbath at Villa Park, Birmingham, in a monumental farewell concert dubbed “Back to the Beginning”. Despite his Parkinson’s diagnosis, he took to the stage seated on a throne and performed classics to a crowd of thousands. The gig raised £140 million for charity and served as the ultimate homecoming for the band that birthed metal.

Less than three weeks later, the world lost its Prince of Darkness. But his final show was a full-circle moment – a triumphant bow in the very city where it all began.

What Ozzy Wanted

True to form, Ozzy didn’t want a sombre farewell. In past interviews, he joked about wanting his funeral to feature Susan Boyle or Justin Bieber to throw people off. He wanted a send-off that celebrated life – loud, unfiltered, and deeply heartfelt.

While the actual ceremonies were far more grounded, they captured the essence of Ozzy: rebellious yet spiritual, cheeky but sincere, iconic and unforgettable.

Long Live the Prince of Darkness

Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy is more than just music. It’s about pushing boundaries, embracing individuality, and staying unapologetically yourself. He made heavy metal a household sound. He made vulnerability cool. And now, he’s made history.

As we say goodbye to the man who changed everything, we say thank you. Thank you for the riffs, the chaos, the laughs, the love, and the never-ending influence.

From Birmingham’s Black Sabbath bench to every living room blasting “Crazy Train,” the spirit of Ozzy lives on.