We are all still a little bit in shock, most likely. On July 5, music fans watched as Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath hosted a farewell concert that went off exceedingly well. Metal icons played, supergroups were created, and at the end of it all, Ozzy and Sabbath were brilliant.
But just over two weeks later, Ozzy was dead. He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease, of course, and he looked quite frail at the show, but no one could have guessed we were so close to the end.
Tributes poured out on social media, and many articles were written. The Prince of Darkness was worth it. He not only helped create the rock subgenre of heavy metal, but he also continued his excellence for many decades. He was unique and different, and there was no one quite like him.
How to stream and what you need to know about Ozzy Osbourne's funeral procession
He was also proudly from Birmingham, England. The farewell gig was held there, and he helped form Black Sabbath there. The city was musically important because of Ozzy Osbourne. On Wednesday, July 30, Birmingham will also hold a sad event. Ozzy's funeral procession will take place beginning at 1 pm Birmingham time.
The procession will travel along Broad Street and will end at the Black Sabbath bench and bridge. A brass band, called the Bostin' Brass, will travel along with the coffin carrying Ozzy. You can livestream the event at the Black Sabbath bench website.
There wasn't a lot of notice of the procession, possibly to cut down on the chaos that might come with it. Still, expect thousands to be in attendance. If Ozzy's wish comes true, some pranks will be involved.
Writing for the Sunday Times of London in 2011, Ozzy said he doesn't care what his played at his funeral, but "I do want to make sure it’s a celebration, not a mope-fest. I’d also like some pranks: maybe the sound of knocking inside the coffin; or a video of me asking my doctor for a second opinion on his diagnosis of 'death.'"
Let's hope that there isn't any sound of knocking from inside the coffin. Or heck, maybe we should. Maybe the prank is that Ozzy Osbourne isn't really dead, but the truth is much sadder. Still, he wanted us to focus on the good times and great music he brought us, so we should do that.