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

Andrew Dawkins & Susie RackBBC Information, West MidlandsKevin ReideBBC Midlands TodayPA MediaFloral tributes have been by the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Avenue in Birmingham, following the demise of frontman Ozzy OsbourneFans have gathered at Black Sabbath landmarks in Birmingham following the demise of singer Ozzy Osbourne on the age of 76.Osbourne, recognized with Parkinson’s illness in 2019, performed Black Sabbath’s farewell gig in his dwelling metropolis earlier this month.Followers gathered on the Black Sabbath bench on Broad Avenue the place flowers have been laid. An promoting van drew up on Tuesday night enjoying the group’s hits.Folks additionally gathered at a mural near New Avenue station, designed in tribute to the current live performance, and on the Previous Crown in Station Avenue the place footage of the band, extensively often called the pioneers of heavy metallic, had been put up. The band performed there of their early years.Folks have left flowers and tributes on the Black Sabbath bench on Broad StreetIan Marshall, from Cardiff, got here to Birmingham on Tuesday to rejoice his 52nd birthday and was doing the Black Sabbath tour alongside together with his daughter, Erin, and her boyfriend, Tyler. Mr Marshall, who mentioned he had liked Sabbath for most likely greater than 35 years, mentioned Osbourne had “a life lived”. The group had visited a mural of the group and Mr Marshall was having his photograph taken there when he heard the information. He mentioned: “He is achieved every part to extra and he is had probably the most incredible life anyone might ever have and I believe he is introduced a lot pleasure to so many heavy metallic followers.”Ian Marshall (proper) was together with his daughter, Erin, and her boyfriend, Tyler, at a Black Sabbath mural in BirminghamOsbourne’s Black Sabbath bandmates expressed their sorrow on-line, and gratitude that they had obtained to seem collectively one final time on 5 July at Villa Park, a stone’s throw from the place all of them grew up.Geezer Butler mentioned: “Goodbye expensive buddy – thanks for all these years – we had some nice enjoyable.”4 children from Aston – who’d have thought it, eh? So glad we obtained to do it one final time, again in Aston. Love you.”In the meantime, Toni Iommi despatched like to Ozzy’s household, including: “It is simply such heartbreaking information that I am unable to actually discover the phrases, there will not ever be one other like him. Geezer, Invoice and myself have misplaced our brother.”Drummer Invoice Ward additionally prolonged his sympathy to followers. He wrote: “The place will I discover you now? Within the reminiscences, our unstated embraces, our missed telephone calls, no, you are perpetually in my coronary heart.”RIP Honest regrets to all of the followers. By no means goodbye. Thanks perpetually.”Central BID BirminghamOzzy Osbourne had added to the mural on Navigation Avenue within the cityBirmingham-based Jim Simpson, Black Sabbath’s first supervisor, mentioned Osbourne “was all the time one of many good guys”.He added: “[He was] a very candy man, a very candy natured man and all the time a pleasure to be with.”Mr Simpson mentioned the final time he frolicked with him was when Osbourne was given his star on Birmingham’s Broad Avenue.”We had tea collectively within the inexperienced room which was within the [International Convention Centre] throughout the road, simply him, me and his two aunties and he was beautiful in direction of them.”It was: ‘Auntie, would you want one other cup of tea?'”This was not the bat head biting off Ozzy Osbourne that the world is aware of.”Jez Collins, from Birmingham Music Archive, mentioned it was becoming Osbourne’s last present had been so near his birthplace.”On the time it simply felt completely sensible to see him there and to see the love of world music stars who have been throughout him,” he mentioned.”It is much more poignant however becoming that was the final gig.”Donna Ford and Sue Peters have been in a pub, Previous Nonetheless in Wolverhampton, after they heard the information.They mentioned the pub stopped the karaoke and performed Adjustments, a minute’s silence was held and everyone raised a glass. Talking on the Black Sabbath bench on Broad Avenue within the metropolis, they mentioned they purchased some flowers and introduced them down.Donna Ford and Sue Peters mentioned a minute’s silence was held in a pubAston Villa FC, whose stadium Osbourne performed his last gig in earlier this month, mentioned they have been saddened to be taught that the “world-renowned rockstar and Villan” had handed away.The membership added: “Rising up in Aston, not removed from Villa Park, Ozzy all the time held a particular connection to the membership and the group he got here from.”Birmingham Youngsters’s Hospital and CharityBirmingham Youngsters’s Hospital and Charity mentioned the hospital was “extraordinarily fortunate to have his help”Birmingham Youngsters’s Hospital, chosen by the band as one of many beneficiaries of the 5 July live performance, mentioned Osbourne had “an unimaginable profession and life, however by no means forgot his Brummie roots”. “Our hospital was extraordinarily fortunate to have his help through the years and most just lately together with his iconic last efficiency, which is able to depart a long-lasting legacy for our sick children.” It added the hospital had “misplaced a buddy, Birmingham a son and the world a musical legend”.Flowers have been left by the just lately created Black Sabbath mural in BirminghamCentral BID (Enterprise Enchancment District) Birmingham mentioned he was “a real icon and a beloved son of Birmingham” and Lyle Bignon, a night-time economic system ambassador based mostly in Birmingham, mentioned: “From Birmingham working class roots to fronting one of many world’s largest bands, creating an entire new style within the course of, Ozzy’s place in in style music and tradition is perpetually sealed.”Popular culture conference Comedian Con Midlands, the place Osbourne met followers weeks in the past, mentioned he was not only a rock star, he “was a chunk of Birmingham’s soul, and his influence on music, tradition, and generations of followers will reside on perpetually”.Birmingham Metropolis College, which posted photographs on X from June on the Freedom of the Metropolis occasion in recognition of Black Sabbath’s connection to Birmingham, mentioned he was a “Brummie legend”.The college added “the Prince of Darkness… put our metropolis on the map”.Birmingham Metropolis UniversityThis photograph was taken in June on the Freedom of the Metropolis occasion in recognition of Black Sabbath’s connection to Birmingham