nho123FANS paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at Black Sabbath landmarks in his home city yesterday — as stars prepared to celebrate his life.
Flowers were left and vigils held at Birmingham’s Black Sabbath Bridge and Bench, as well as at a mural honouring the heavy metal giants.
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Ozzy’s death on Tuesday aged 76 — just 17 days after a farewell gig at the city’s Villa Park stadium — drew condolences from stars including Sir Rod Stewart, Noel Gallagher and Sir Elton John.
And yesterday friends said many big names wanted to salute the bat-munching, self-proclaimed Prince of Darkness, who became a national treasure.
Such a service would be held ahead of a smaller private funeral.
Ozzy died at the family mansion in Buckinghamshire with his wife Sharon, 72, and four of his six children by his side.
Thames Valley Air Ambulance confirmed an air ambulance was dispatched to “provide advanced critical care”.
Sharon — married for 43 years — said in a joint statement that he had been “surrounded by love”.
A source told The Sun: “There are conversations about a celebration of his life in Birmingham, the city that meant so much to him.
“Artists like Yungblud, who was seen by Ozzy as a musician who could carry on the mantle of what he started all those years ago, is expected to have a role in it.
“There are hundreds of big names who will want to pay their respects and celebrate his life and legacy, as well as thousands of fans who would line the streets to say goodbye.”
At one shrine, 70-year-old Gary Holbrooke hailed Ozzy as “a local lad who done good”.
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Jake Brookes, 28, who was at this month’s Back To The Beginning concert which also featured 15 other rock acts, said: “He got to say goodbye and we got to say goodbye back.
“There was not a dry eye at Villa Park. And for him to do it at home meant the world to him, meant the world to fans, and it was a mutual thank you and respect.”
Before the charity show, in which he sat on a black throne, Ozzy said: “It’s my final encore — my chance to say thank you to my fans.
“I couldn’t have done my final show anywhere else.”
Daughter Kelly, 40, got engaged to Slipknot’s Sid Wilson backstage, and a pal said: “Ozzy was on top of the world.”
The concert raised £140million for charities including Birmingham’s Acorns Children’s Hospice, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Cure Parkinson’s.
Last night Trevor Johnson, chief exec of Acorns, said the concert “showed what he was about”.
He added: “It showed the impact that he’s had right across the world from here in the West Midlands and I think it was a fitting end to an extraordinary life.”
A book of condolences is being opened at Villa Park. Chief operations officer Ben Hatton, who worked with Ozzy and his family on the show, said: “Eighteen days ago we all witnessed an historic night at Villa Park.
“And to think we won’t see them again, we won’t see him again, is heartbreaking.”
More on Ozzy Osbourne…
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On tours in the US, Lady Gaga put on an Ozzy T-shirt and played his 1980 debut solo song Crazy Train, while Coldplay honoured him by performing Black Sabbath’s 1972 hit Changes.
Ozzy, who sold 100 million records worldwide over six decades, gained a new following with US reality show The Osbournes, which ran from 2002 to 2005.
The Sun understands a BBC series following Ozzy and Sharon is still expected to air.
‘DON’T BE SAD’
OZZY previously revealed he did not want his funeral to be sad.
He said in a 2011 interview: “A lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives, so by any measure, most of us in this country, especially rock stars like me, are very lucky.”
Ozzy claimed to not care what was played, even “a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle and We Are the Diddymen if it makes them happy”. But in 2016 he said he wanted The Beatles’ A Day In The Life, as they inspired him to become a musician.
We first revealed the couple and their children Jack and Kelly had agreed to allow cameras to follow their return to the UK in 2022.
Coming Home To Roost was planned as a ten-part series.
A source said: “Discussions are ongoing.
“It seems more than likely that the rushes will be turned into a one-off film.
“The team think it could be something incredibly special.”
A new documentary, No Escape From Now, is set to air on Paramount+ later this year, following his life since a fall in 2019 — before his Parkinson’s diagnosis — left him needing a series of ops on his back and neck.
When the film was announced in February, Sharon said of the documentary: “It shows how hard things have been for him and the courage he has shown while dealing with a number of serious health issues.
“It’s about the reality of his life now.
“We hope that story will inspire people that are facing similar issues to Ozzy.”
When news of his death broke, Tania and Phil Alexander, from production company Echo Velvet, said: “Filming with him and his family for the last three-and-a-half years will always be a cherished experience.
“Largely because we got to regularly witness Ozzy’s indomitable spirit, his mischievous, irresistible grin and his masterful display of unique one-liners.”
A biopic about Ozzy’s life is also in the works — with Sony in line to create the blockbuster for screening in 2027.
Speaking about the project on July 4, Jack told The Sun: “It’s going to be raw.
“We are not pulling any punches, we are really laying it all out.
“The director we have is absolutely phenomenal.
“The film is in good hands.”
ALAMO REMEMBER
OFFICIALS for a Texan war memorial which Ozzy drunkenly urinated on in 1982 have paid an unlikely tribute to the rocker.
The star was jailed after the incident at the Alamo Cenotaph Monument and was banned from performing in San Antonio for a decade.
He returned with son Jack in 2015.
Officials posted: “We acknowledge Ozzy’s journey from regret to reconciliation.”
Animal welfare charity Peta also posted a tribute to the “gentle” singer who famously bit the head off a bat.
