Today, the city of Birmingham will come to a standstill as fans, family, and fellow musicians pay their final public respects to the legendary Ozzy Osbourne. The beloved BLACK SABBATH frontman, who passed away on July 22 at the age of 76, will be honored with a funeral procession through his hometown — and for fans around the world, a global livestream will offer a chance to take part in this historic farewell.
The public cortege is set to begin today, Wednesday, July 30, at approximately 1:00 PM BST, as a hearse carrying the iconic singer makes its way down Birmingham’s Broad Street. Fans unable to attend in person can follow along via a livestream on the official Black Sabbath Bench website. Viewers must enter their email address to gain access to the continuous video feed, which will capture the moment the procession pauses at the now-iconic Black Sabbath Bridge and bench — a location that has transformed into a powerful tribute site since Osbourne’s passing.
Livestream Times Around the World:
- 1:00 PM BST – Birmingham, UK
- 2:00 PM CET – Paris, Berlin, Rome
- 5:00 AM PT – Los Angeles
- 8:00 AM ET – New York, Toronto
- 5:30 PM IST – New Delhi
- 8:00 PM CST – Beijing, Shanghai
- 9:00 PM JST – Tokyo
- 11:00 PM AEDT – Sydney, Melbourne
The procession will feature a heartfelt performance by Birmingham-based brass ensemble Bostin’ Brass, and the tram named in Osbourne’s honor in 2016 will also be present, serving as a symbolic tribute to the Prince of Darkness and his roots in the city.
To accommodate the event, Broad Street is closed to through traffic from 7:00 AM BST, with expected reopening later in the day. The Birmingham City Council has advised those attending to arrive early, use public transportation, and follow on-site safety guidance. Diversions will affect buses and trams, and although access for residents and businesses will be managed where possible, delays are expected.
A Final Farewell
Today’s procession marks the culmination of a month-long farewell to one of heavy metal’s most enduring voices. Just over two weeks ago, Osbourne stunned fans with what now appears to have been a symbolic goodbye — the “Back to the Beginning” reunion concert on July 5 at Villa Park, where he was joined by the original Black Sabbath lineup for one final performance.
Despite his battle with Parkinson’s disease, Osbourne appeared in strong voice and spirit, performing from a custom-built black throne to a sold-out crowd. It was a moment that many fans now remember as a fitting final bow.
As Birmingham gathers and the world watches, today’s funeral procession serves not only as a tribute to the man and his music but also as a reminder of the deep, lasting bond between Ozzy Osbourne and the city that shaped him.
Fans can watch the livestream at blacksabbathbench.com and join millions worldwide in saying a final, collective goodbye to a true legend.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.