Thousands aligned in the streets of the United Kingdom City Birmingham on Wednesday to pay an emotional emotion to the hometown hero, Ozzy Osbourne, when heavy metal Hellraiser was buried.
Black Sabbath leader, Osbourne, who obtained the nickname of the “Prince of Darkness” and once bit a bat while on stage, died on July 22 at the age of 76. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 and died 17 days after playing a final concert with a crowd with depleted entries in Birmingham.
The funeral procession of Osbourne began around 1200 GMT (5pm PKT) on a route planned with the rocker’s family through the English city.
“Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!” You could hear, with a fan shouting “We love you Ozzy!” As its coffin, sitting in a majestic jaguar black car covered with floral arrangements, and other dragged vehicles.
The procession, which previously spent the childhood house of the star in the Aston area of the city, was accompanied by a presentation of the live brass band of local musicians of Bostin ‘Brass.
The fanatic Mhairi Larner said he was “overwhelming” and “very emotional” to be part of the farewell of the city for a star who had been so “proud of his roots.”
“I have been a fan of the time I have memory, and I raised my son to do the same,” said the 31 -year -old caregiver who had traveled from the central city of Nottingham. “I was alone crazy, a little strange, but it’s good to have someone like that,” she said AFP.
Another fan, Sargeant Reece, came with friends to say goodbye.
“I think it was important to come and present our respects … Ozzy and Black Sabbath really put Birmingham on the map,” he said.
The 16 -year -old described the last concert of the band as “Out of this world.”
Osbourne once said that his funeral was a celebration of his life and not a “festival.”
The procession stopped at the Black Sabbath Bank, an art installation with shots in each member’s head on a bridge that also bears the band’s name.
The visibly emotional family members, including their widow, Sharon Osbourne, placed flowers in the bank and read some of the written taxes that have been left there, along with balloons and flowers.
Thousands of fans have gathered on the bridge in recent days, crying the death of the musician who was instrumental in the heavy pioneer metal.
The courtship, led by police motorcycles, continued its slow trip to a private funeral.
‘Tribute’
“Ozzy was more than a musical legend: he was the son of Birmingham,” said Zafar Iqbal, the mayor of the central city of English, in a statement.
“It was important for the city that we support an appropriate and worthy tax before a private family funeral.
“We are proud to organize it here with his beloved family in the place where it all started,” added Iqbal, who could be seen hugging family members when the procession stopped in the center of Birmingham.
Black Sabbath enjoyed great commercial success in the seventies and 80 after forming in Birmingham in 1968. His 1970 homonymous debut album was the Top 10 of the United Kingdom and paved the way for a series of successful albums, including his most famous song, ‘Paranoid’.
The group sold more than 75 million albums worldwide and was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Osbourne was added for the second time last year as a soloist.
Osbourne gained notoriety for his extravagant acrobatics, many fed by his legendary indulgence in drugs and alcohol.
In 1989, he was arrested for treating drunks to strangle his wife, Sharon, who once mentioned in a 2007 interview.
His live performances in the hey of his hedonism have fallen into rock folklore, particularly in the 1982 concert in the city of the United States when he bit a bat on stage.
Osbourne said he thought a fan had thrown a rubber bat on the stage, and it was not until he gave a bite that realized that it was real.
