The Band of the Coldstream Guards paid an emotional tribute to Ozzy Osbourne in London as they played Black Sabbath’s hit song ‘Paranoid’.
Thousands of the rock band’s fans gathered in the capital today for the late singer’s funeral procession after he passed away aged 76 on July 22.
His wife Sharon Osbourne broke down in tears as the heavy metal icon was commemorated in a parade through the city centre – with friends and family there to pay their respects.
The Coldstream Guards stood outside Buckingham Palace with their instruments to perform a rendition of Black Sabbath’s 1970s classic Paranoid.
Touching footage shows the guards playing their drums, trumpets, horns and other instruments to honour the ‘Prince of Darkness’ and his legendary music.
Reacting to the clip, one fan of the star wrote: ‘What a unique and powerful tribute! It’s incredible to see the Coldstream Guards perform Paranoid – truly a blend of tradition and rock. RIP to Ozzy Osbourne, a legend in every way.’
Another said: ‘Fantastic! Thank you for honoring The Prince of Darkness.’
Meanwhile, Sharon and the couple’s children Jack, Kelly and Aimee laid floral tributes at the Black Sabbath Bridge.
The Band of the Coldstream Guards paid an emotional tribute to Ozzy Osbourne in London today as they played Black Sabbath’s hit song ‘Paranoid’
Sharon Osbourne was emotional as she was seen in Birmingham today with son Jack
Sharon gave a peace sign towards Ozzy’s fans turning out in Birmingham
Emotional Ozzy Osbourne said goodbye to fans at his ‘final encore’ just weeks before his death aged 76
Sharon made a peace sign as she gestured her gratitude to the crowds, while accompanied by Ozzy’s son Louis from his first marriage to Thelma Riley.
The funeral cortege was led along Broad Street by a live brass band, Bostin’ Brass, who were performing versions of Black Sabbath songs such as Iron Man, as thousands of devotees lined the streets.
Huge crowds had started gathering along the route hours in advance of the 1pm start, to pay their respects towards the singer whose songs included Paranoid and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.
Thousands of people were pictured taking their places not only on Black Sabbath Bridge but along the city centre route along which his cortege travelled towards the Black Sabbath Bridge bench.
The hearse carrying the singer’s coffin – adorned with purple flowers spelling out ‘Ozzy’ – passed the star’s childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, at about 12.45pm on its route into Birmingham city centre.
Flowers were placed outside the terraced property, close to Villa Park, since the singer’s death, while the owners of the house put up a picture of Osbourne in the front bay window.
Touching footage shows the guards playing their drums, trumpets, horns and other instruments to honour the ‘Prince of Darkness’ and his legendary music
Two of Ozzy and Sharon’s children Jack and Kelly embraced at Black Sabbath Bridge
The hearse carrying the singer’s coffin was adorned with purple flowers spelling out ‘Ozzy’
The Jaguar hearse and six Mercedes funeral cars, accompanied by police motorcycle riders and a police car, drove slowly along the street watched by a handful of fans and the current owner of the house.
Fans have left heartfelt messages and floral tributes around the Black Sabbath mural on Navigation Street in recent days to honour the heavy metal star who was born in the Aston area of Birmingham.
Members of the public have also signed a book of condolences, opened by Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery, which is currently holding an exhibition titled Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Working Class Hero.
