By ITV News Central Journalist Alice Smith
A Black Sabbath fan who brought his brother’s ashes from Chicago to Birmingham was among those to pay tribute to the band’s frontman, Ozzy Osbourne, on what would have been his 77th birthday.
“We came all the way to be out here for Ozzy’s birthday,” he said.
“My brother should have been here, too.”
Standing in front of the purple flowers on display on Black Sabbath Bridge for the Brummie legend’s birthday, he said: “They went above and beyond for him. He deserves every bit of it.”
A fan (left) traveled to Birmingham from Chicago with his brother’s ashes to mark Ozzy’s birthday Credit: ITV News Central
Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 and died at the age of 76 in July, surrounded by his family.
In the same month, thousands of fans lined Broad Street, where Black Sabbath Bridge is, for the former frontman’s funeral cortege.
Today, fans laid fresh flowers and tributes to mark Ozzy’s birthday.
Fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne on his birthday Credit: ITV News Central
Some of them had travelled to the city to see a very different musical icon the night before: Cliff Richard.
But their interest in Ozzy’s music illustrated the Prince of Darkness’s appeal to a wide audience and ability to bridge musical divides.
One fan, Pete, had traveled from Hull with his partner for the Cliff Richard concert.
“Other bands of the era seem to pale in comparison compared to Black Sabbath,” he said.
And Ozzy’s death has opened his music up to a new generation, he added:
“Me nephew is in his early twenties and he’s a big fan. He came to the Back to the Beginning gig.”
Red roses in the shape of a heart left on Black Sabbath Bridge Credit: ITV News Central
While fans had travelled from across the world to Black Sabbath Bridge, others had come from closer to home.
“He was one of us… an Aston Villa fan…. he means everything to Birmingham,” said Karen, who was born and raised in the city.
“Since he died I haven’t stopped listening to his music.”
Another fan, who was at the bridge with her daughter, agreed about the importance of the rock icon to his home city.
“We came here when he passed away, and he’s just Birmingham through and through. He never forgot where he was from.”
Staff at The Diskery, one of Birmingham’s oldest record shops, told ITV News Central today that his death had reignited people’s love for his music.
“All ages from teenagers upwards came to buy Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne records in the weeks after his death,” said staff member Peter Dearn.
“I didn’t think he would ever die,” he added.
“But the gig was a nice signing off for him.”
Purple flowers left on Black Sabbath Bridge for Ozzy Osbourne’s birthday Credit: ITV News Central
Elsewhere, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery have unveiled a special tribute wall in their ‘Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero’ exhibition.
The tribute is made up of 77 messages selected from over 50,000 left by fans after Ozzy’s death. Hundreds more messages are being shown as part of a new film in the exhibition.
Sharon Osbourne reads messages on the tribute wall at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Credit: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Sharon, Kelly and Louis Osbourne all visited the exhibition earlier today and paid tribute on social media.
Kelly shared a post on Instagram that showed her sitting on Black Sabbath Bench surrounded by tributes dedicated to her father.
She wrote: “Happy birthday daddy you most certainly did not die an ordinary man! Life without you is hard but not a day goes by that I don’t dedicate my life to loving you and your legacy! I miss you more than anything in the world. I love you until eternity! What I would not give to watch you blow out just one more candle.”
Birthday tributes left for Ozzy Osbourne on what would have been his 77th birthday Credit: ITV News Central
Ozzy’s widow, Sharon Osbourne, also paid tribute to her late husband, saying: “I will never let go of your hand until I see you on the other side.”
Sharing a post on Instagram, Sharon, who was married to him for 43 years, said: “My darling husband, I celebrate the day you were born.”
Kelly and Sharon received the Lord Mayor’s award on behalf of Ozzy Osbourne. Credit: Birmingham City Council
Kelly and Sharon Osbourne received the Lord Mayor’s Award today to celebrate Ozzy’s life and contribution to the city.
At a private ceremony, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal also presented the star’s family with the Book of Condolence, which fans signed following his death.
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