MARILYN Manson, Metallica’s James Hetfield and Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor were among the who’s who of rock at Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral today.
The Black Sabbath legend, 76, was laid to rest next to the lake at his family’s Buckinghamshire home.
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A wreath, which read: “Ozzy f***ing Osbourne,” was placed by the bank of the water.
110 of Ozzy’s nearest and dearest joined his wife Sharon and his children Jack, 39, Kelly, 40, Aimee, 41, and Louis, 50, who is Ozzy’s son from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, for the service.
Stars including Ozzy’s Black Sabbath bandmates, Hetfield, punk singer Yungblud and Sir Elton John were all at the service to say goodbye.
Rock icon Manson was also among the mourners who attended, after flying in from the US, along with Ozzy’s guitarist Zakk Wylde and Taylor.
The road leading to Ozzy and Sharon’s home was closed from 1pm.
Guests were sent a simple black invitation with a picture of a cross that read: “In loving memory of Ozzy Osbourne.”
Mourners were transported from The Crowne Plaza and The Bull in Gerrards Cross to the house at 2pm, with the service starting at 3pm.
Security teams were also in place to ensure the safety of those attending.
Tents were erected in the 250-acre grounds of the house, which Ozzy and Sharon bought back in 1993, along with a stage where tributes were paid to Ozzy.
A friend said: “Everyone at the service just wanted to support Sharon and the kids, it has been an awful time.
Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne performing their version of Changes together
“Toasts were raised, memories were shared – it was a very fitting goodbye.
“Ozzy wanted his final place of rest to be at home and he is buried at a beautiful point on the lake.
“As well as the ‘Ozzy f***ing Osbourne’ wreath, which made people smile, there was another floral tribute which spelt out ‘Ozzy’ that was placed by the fountain on the lake.
“There was a stage where people including Yungblud, who grew very close to Ozzy in recent years, were set to pay tribute to him.
“The day was incredibly emotional. Pictures of Ozzy were dotted throughout the house and a photograph of him was given to everyone who attended to take home with them.”
Today, fans gathered in Birmingham again, at the Black Sabbath bridge and at the Black Sabbath bench, as Ozzy was laid to rest.
In London, the Coldstream Guards performed Black Sabbath’s 1970 hit Paranoid outside of Buckingham Palace as a tribute to the rocker – who died last Tuesday aged 76.
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On Wednesday, Sharon and the family followed behind his cortege in Birmingham as thousands turned out to pay tribute to the pioneer of heavy metal.
The family arrived carrying purple flowers wrapped in black paper to lay for the late rock star.
Sharon cried as she held onto daughter Kelly and son Jack’s arms, and walked slowly towards the memorial.
She kept her gaze down and appeared to kiss a rose she brought with her before tentatively laying it down upon hundreds of other bouquets.
Kelly and Jack helped Sharon stand back up, as she covered her face, overwhelmed with emotion.
Both siblings were also in tears as they supported their mother.
Sharon wore Ozzy’s ring on a chain around her neck in memory of her late husband, while Kelly donned round sunglasses in a nod her father’s famous look.
Stoic Sharon and her rarely seen daughter Aimee also waved to the emotional crowd and gave peace signs to fans.
They stood alongside Louis, Ozzy’s son from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, who was donning a purple tie in honour of his father.
Chants of “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy” rang out, with many shouting messages of support for Sharon.
One could be heard saying “we love you Sharon” as she laid flowers next to the cortege.
Ozzy’s name was displayed in the funeral cortege with vibrant purple flowers.
The procession was lead by a live brass band formed with local musicians from Bostin’ Brass in honour of Ozzy’s legacy.
The Jaguar hearse carrying the singer’s coffin went by his childhood home, where tributes also mount, just before 1pm.
It was accompanied by six Mercedes funeral cars, police motorcycle riders and a police car, on Lodge Road, before making its way to Broad Street.
Fans began gathering from early yesterday morning, with touching floral tributes left by the Black Sabbath bench in the centre of the city.
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Some displayed hand-painted banners, while others held Prince of Darkness themed balloons.
Many in the crowd showed off their Ozzy tattoos in honour of the late rock legend.
A book of condolence is now open for fans to sign at Aston Villa’s stadium, Villa Park.
Fittingly, Ozzy’s final performance before his death was at the ground.
His Back To The Beginning Show, which raised money for local charities as well as Parkinson’s UK, saw him playing a 20-minute solo set before he sang four songs with Black Sabbath.
The icon became known as the “Prince of Darkness” in his six-decade career thanks to his on-stage antics that attracted a legion of heavy rock fans.
His death drew condolences from stars including Sir Rod Stewart, Noel Gallagher and Sir Elton John.
Ozzy’s heart would have broken seeing Sharon’s tears
By Ellie Henman
TO the sound of the fantastic Bostin Brass Band, Ozzy’s cortege passed slowly along Broad Street.
Along with the bursts of applause from the thousands of devoted fans who had lined up to say goodbye, the procession was everything Ozzy would have wanted.
This day was, as he had hoped, a celebration of his life and his legacy.
His heart however, I know, would have broken to see his wife Sharon, held up by her son Jack, breaking down in tears in front of the sea of flowers that had been laid for him at the Black Sabbath bridge.
Those close enough to Sharon shouted out to her and applauded in a small gesture of support.
Today was no doubt one of the most difficult days of Sharon’s life.
My heart ached as I saw Jack, Aimee, Kelly and Louis standing shoulder to shoulder in the city their father made so proud.
Losing your husband, your father, is difficult enough. Sharing that grief, although they wanted to, would have been incredibly hard.
This afternoon’s procession was the first of two fitting farewells to the Prince of Darkness who would have no doubt made a joke about all the fuss.
As Ozzy himself said, there was no such thing as death for him.
“I will retire when I hear the nail go in the box and then I will do an encore,” he joked last year.
“I am the Prince of Darkness.”
Tomorrow Sharon, their children, and Ozzy’s closest friends will gather at a church in Gerrards Cross to say their final goodbyes to the pioneer of heavy metal music.
Ozzy, I have been told, will then be laid to rest in the family’s Buckinghamshire home where he made so many happy memories.
The pain of his loss will never go away for those closest to him and for the fans who held him up as an icon.
But with his music, Ozzy’s legacy will continue to inspire and delight generations to come.
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