“STAY STRONG, HE’S STILL WITH US…” – Jack Osbourne’s Touching Gesture Silences Birmingham at Ozzy’s Funeral

On July 30, 2025, the streets of Birmingham, England, pulsed with a bittersweet energy as thousands gathered to bid farewell to Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman known as the “Prince of Darkness.” Ozzy, who passed away on July 22 at the age of 76, left behind a legacy that reshaped heavy metal and touched millions through his music and larger-than-life persona. His funeral procession, a poignant celebration of his life, was marked by an unforgettable moment when his son, Jack Osbourne, wrapped his arm around his grieving mother, Sharon Osbourne, and slipped something into her hand—a gesture that brought a hush over the raucous crowd.

A City United in Grief and Celebration

The procession began in Aston, Ozzy’s childhood neighborhood, winding past his Lodge Road home, where fans had left flowers and tributes, and Villa Park, the site of his final performance just weeks earlier on July 5. The hearse, adorned with purple flowers spelling out “Ozzy,” was led by Bostin’ Brass, a local band playing Black Sabbath classics like “Iron Man.” Fans lined Broad Street, chanting “Ozzy! Ozzy! Ozzy!” and raising devil horns, embodying the rock star’s wish for his funeral to be a “celebration, not a mope-fest.”

Sharon Osbourne, 72, led the family, accompanied by her children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, as well as Ozzy’s son Louis from his first marriage to Thelma Riley. The family stopped at Black Sabbath Bridge, a landmark honoring the band’s Birmingham roots, where a bench had become a shrine of flowers, messages, and bat-shaped balloons—a nod to Ozzy’s infamous 1982 bat-biting incident. Sharon, visibly frail and clutching a tissue, was supported by her children as she laid a pink rose among the tributes.

Jack’s Quiet Strength

As the crowd’s chants grew louder, Jack Osbourne, 39, stood steadfast by his mother’s side. Known for his work as a paranormal investigator and his close bond with his parents, Jack has often been a pillar for the family, especially during Ozzy’s health struggles with Parkinson’s disease and injuries from a 2003 accident. On this day, his protective presence was palpable. As Sharon faltered, overcome by grief, Jack wrapped his arm around her, steadying her with a quiet strength that spoke volumes.

Then, in a moment that seemed to freeze time, Jack slipped something into Sharon’s hand. The crowd, sensing the weight of the gesture, fell silent. While the exact nature of the item remains private, speculation among fans suggests it could have been a personal memento—perhaps a note, a piece of jewelry, or something tied to Ozzy’s legacy. One fan on X noted Sharon’s necklace, which bore Ozzy’s diamond-encrusted wedding ring from their 2017 vow renewal, hinting at the family’s tradition of honoring their patriarch through subtle tributes. Whatever it was, the act carried a message of enduring love and resilience, echoing Jack’s whispered words to his mother: “Stay strong, he’s still with us.”

A Family’s United Front

The Osbourne family presented a united front, each member paying tribute to Ozzy in their own way. Kelly, 40, channeled her father’s iconic style with purple-tinted sunglasses, while Louis wore a skull-and-crossbones tie, and Aimee, 41, pinned a bat brooch to her blazer—a rare public appearance for the private musician. Jack’s silver cross tie pin reflected Ozzy’s signature pendant, a symbol of his rock ‘n’ roll identity. Sharon’s double peace sign to the crowd, a gesture Ozzy popularized, was met with cheers, bridging the family’s grief with the fans’ adoration.

Sharon’s strength, despite her fragility, was evident. Sources close to the family described her as “heartbroken but very proud” of the life they built together over their 43-year marriage. Her determination to fulfill Ozzy’s final wish—to perform one last time at Villa Park—underscored her role as his fiercest advocate. When insurers balked at covering the concert due to Ozzy’s health, Sharon arranged for him to perform seated on a bat-adorned throne, ensuring his “Back to the Beginning” show became a historic farewell.

Ozzy’s Enduring Legacy

Ozzy Osbourne’s impact on music and culture is immeasurable. As Black Sabbath’s frontman, he pioneered heavy metal with albums like Paranoid and Black Sabbath, earning two Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions and five Grammy wins. His solo career, with hits like “Crazy Train,” solidified his status as a global icon. Beyond music, The Osbournes reality show (2002–2005) revealed a chaotic yet loving family, making Ozzy and Sharon household names. Despite personal struggles—substance abuse, infidelity, and health challenges—their bond endured, a testament to their resilience.

The “Back to the Beginning” concert, featuring Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, and others, was a fitting swan song. Ozzy, frail but defiant, performed with his original Black Sabbath bandmates, telling the 40,000-strong crowd, “I am Iron Man: go fucking crazy!” The event, set to be released as a film in 2026, captured his indomitable spirit. Tributes from peers like Elton John, who called him “a true legend,” and Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, who credited Ozzy with fostering lifelong friendships, underscored his influence.

A Moment That Resonates

Jack’s gesture at Black Sabbath Bridge was more than a private exchange; it was a universal reminder of love’s enduring power. As Sharon clutched the item, her tears reflected both loss and gratitude for a life shared with a rock legend. The silenced street, filled with fans from Newcastle to Chesterfield, bore witness to a family’s grief and a city’s pride. One fan, Eddie Hayes, 19, told BBC News, “People like Ozzy will never be around again. He’s purely an individual.”

As the procession ended, Sharon and her children returned to their vehicles, preparing for a private funeral. Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Zafar Iqbal, called the tribute “important” for a city that Ozzy loved deeply. A book of condolence at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the “Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero” exhibit, launched by Sharon in June, ensure his legacy endures.

He’s Still With Us

Ozzy Osbourne may be gone, but his spirit lives on—in his music, his family, and the fans who chanted his name. Jack’s words to Sharon, “He’s still with us,” capture a truth that resonates beyond Birmingham’s streets. Whether through a song, a peace sign, or a quiet gesture between mother and son, Ozzy’s presence remains, a beacon for those who loved him. As the Osbournes navigate their grief, they do so with the world’s support, knowing the Prince of Darkness will never truly fade.