Birmingham, England, became a focal point of mourning and celebration as thousands gathered to honor Ozzy Osbourne, the Black Sabbath frontman who passed away on July 22 at age 76. The public funeral procession, a poignant tribute to the “Prince of Darkness,” wound through the city’s streets, passing significant landmarks like Ozzy’s childhood home on Lodge Road and the Black Sabbath Bridge. Amid the outpouring of love from fans, Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s widow of 43 years, made a deeply emotional gesture that resonated with the crowd: raising both hands in Ozzy’s signature double peace sign. This heartfelt act, captured by BBC and other outlets, was more than a wave—it was a tribute to Ozzy’s legacy as a peace-loving hippie at heart, a nod to his enduring influence, and a moment of connection with the fans who chanted “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi!”
The Symbolism of the Peace Sign
Sharon’s double peace sign gesture carried profound meaning, rooted in Ozzy’s identity and philosophy. As Ozzy explained in a 2002 Rolling Stone interview, “We were the last hippie band. We were into peace.” Unlike the “devil horns” hand sign popularized by Ronnie James Dio and often associated with heavy metal, Ozzy’s trademark was the double peace sign, a gesture he used throughout his career to express unity and love. A fan on Facebook, who followed Ozzy since the 1970s, emphasized this distinction, noting that while the devil horns became a rock staple, Ozzy’s peace sign was his unique contribution, reflecting his roots in the counterculture of the late 1960s. Sharon’s replication of this gesture at the Black Sabbath Bridge, where she and children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack laid pink roses wrapped in black paper with purple ribbons, was a deliberate nod to Ozzy’s ethos, connecting his rebellious music with a message of peace.
A Family’s Emotional Tribute
Sharon, 72, was visibly moved during the procession, supported by her children as they viewed tributes at the Black Sabbath Bridge, a site adorned with flowers, messages, and a poster declaring, “Birmingham will always love you.” Her tears, reported by The Mirror and Sky News, underscored the personal weight of the moment as she honored her husband, whom she described as her “soulmate” in a 2022 Instagram post. The peace sign gesture was not only a tribute to Ozzy’s public persona but also a reflection of their personal bond, which weathered challenges like his 2016 infidelity and his health struggles with Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in 2019. Sharon’s act, paired with the family’s floral tributes in Black Sabbath’s signature purple and black colors, symbolized their shared grief and gratitude, amplified by the crowd’s chants and cries of “Thank you, Ozzy.”
Ozzy’s Lasting Legacy in Birmingham
The procession, funded by the Osbourne family and accompanied by the Bostin’ Brass band playing Black Sabbath hits like “Iron Man,” was a testament to Ozzy’s deep ties to Birmingham. As The Independent reported, the cortege paused at key locations, including the Black Sabbath Bench, where Sharon embraced Lord Mayor Zafar Iqbal, who called Ozzy a “son of Birmingham.” The peace sign gesture resonated with fans who saw Ozzy as more than a musician—a working-class hero who rose from Aston to global stardom. His final performance at Villa Park on July 5, just weeks before his death, was a triumphant homecoming, organized by Sharon to fulfill his wish to perform one last time despite his frail health. Her gesture at the funeral echoed that effort, showing her commitment to honoring Ozzy’s connection to his fans and his city.
A Shared Moment of Love and Loss
Sharon’s double peace sign was a heartwarming bridge between Ozzy’s public legacy and the private grief of his family. As Variety noted, the gesture elicited cheers and tears from the crowd, who saw it as a final salute to the man who helped define heavy metal. Fans on X, like @ThatLondonLady, praised Sharon’s strength in sharing this moment with the public, noting her generosity in allowing fans to say goodbye despite her personal pain. The gesture encapsulated Ozzy’s spirit—wild, heartfelt, and unifying—while reflecting Sharon’s role as his partner and advocate. As the family laid their roses and returned to the hearse, adorned with purple flowers spelling “Ozzy,” Sharon’s peace signs stood as a lasting image of love, resilience, and a shared farewell to a rock legend.
