Fans gather at Black Sabbath landmarks as Birmingham mourns death of Ozzy Osbourne

Fans have gathered at Black Sabbath landmarks in Birmingham following the death of singer Ozzy Osbourne at the age of 76.

Osbourne, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, played Black Sabbath’s farewell gig in his home city earlier this month.

Fans gathered at the Black Sabbath bench on Broad Street where flowers were laid. An advertising van drew up on Tuesday evening playing the group’s hits.

People also gathered at a mural close to New Street station, designed in tribute to the recent concert, and at the Old Crown in Station Street where pictures of the band, widely known as the pioneers of heavy metal, had been put up. The band played there in their early years.

Ian Marshall, from Cardiff, came to Birmingham on Tuesday to celebrate his 52nd birthday and was doing the Black Sabbath tour along with his daughter, Erin, and her boyfriend, Tyler.

Mr Marshall, who said he had loved Sabbath for probably more than 35 years, said Osbourne had “a life lived”.

The group had visited a mural of the group and Mr Marshall was having his photo taken there when he heard the news.

He said: “He’s done everything to excess and he’s had the most fantastic life anybody could ever have and I think he’s brought so much joy to so many heavy metal fans.”

Osbourne’s Black Sabbath bandmates expressed their sorrow online, and gratitude they had got to appear together one last time on 5 July at Villa Park, a stone’s throw from where they all grew up.

Geezer Butler said: “Goodbye dear friend – thanks for all those years – we had some great fun.

“4 kids from Aston – who’d have thought it, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.”

Meanwhile, Toni Iommi sent love to Ozzy’s family, adding: “It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother.”

Drummer Bill Ward also extended his sympathy to fans. He wrote: “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you’re forever in my heart.

“RIP Sincere regrets to all the fans. Never goodbye. Thank you forever.”

Birmingham-based Jim Simpson, Black Sabbath’s first manager, said Osbourne “was always one of the good guys”.

He added: “[He was] a really sweet man, a really sweet natured man and always a pleasure to be with.”

Mr Simpson said the last time he spent time with him was when Osbourne was given his star on Birmingham’s Broad Street.

“We had tea together in the green room which was in the [International Convention Centre] across the street, just him, me and his two aunties and he was lovely towards them.

“It was: ‘Auntie, would you like another cup of tea?’

“This was not the bat head biting off Ozzy Osbourne that the world knows.”

Jez Collins, from Birmingham Music Archive, said it was fitting Osbourne’s final show had been so close to his birthplace.

“At the time it just felt absolutely brilliant to see him there and to see the love of global music stars who were all around him,” he said.

“It’s even more poignant but fitting that was the last gig.”

Donna Ford and Sue Peters were in a pub, Old Still in Wolverhampton, when they heard the news.

They said the pub stopped the karaoke and played Changes, a minute’s silence was held and everybody raised a glass.

Speaking at the Black Sabbath bench on Broad Street in the city, they said they bought some flowers and brought them down.

Aston Villa FC, whose stadium Osbourne played his final gig in earlier this month, said they were saddened to learn that the “world-renowned rockstar and Villan” had passed away.

The club added: “Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from.”

Birmingham Children’s Hospital, chosen by the band as one of the beneficiaries of the 5 July concert, said Osbourne had “an incredible career and life, but never forgot his Brummie roots”.

“Our hospital was extremely lucky to have his support over the years and most recently with his iconic final performance, which will leave a lasting legacy for our sick kids.”

It added the hospital had “lost a friend, Birmingham a son and the world a musical legend”.

Central BID (Business Improvement District) Birmingham said he was “a true icon and a beloved son of Birmingham” and Lyle Bignon, a night-time economy ambassador based in Birmingham, said: “From Birmingham working class roots to fronting one of the world’s biggest bands, creating a whole new genre in the process, Ozzy’s place in popular music and culture is forever sealed.”

Pop culture convention Comic Con Midlands, where Osbourne met fans weeks ago, said he was not just a rock star, he “was a piece of Birmingham’s soul, and his impact on music, culture, and generations of fans will live on forever”.

Birmingham City University, which posted images on X from June at the Freedom of the City event in recognition of Black Sabbath’s connection to Birmingham, said he was a “Brummie legend”.

The university added “the Prince of Darkness… put our city on the map”.