Since Osbourne’s death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has embraced its reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal.

The “ home of metal ” is honoring one of its most cherished sons. Thousands of Black Sabbath fans were paying their respects Wednesday to frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse made its way through the streets of Birmingham, the English city where he grew up and where the band was formed in 1968.

Ozzy Osbourne, who was born in Marston Green, a suburb of Birmingham, and who died at the age of 76, was one of the city's most celebrated cultural icons. He and Sharon Osbourne were married for 43 years before his death.