Ozzy Osbourne spent a lifetime defying expectations. Known to the world as the “Prince of Darkness,” the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath built a career on chaos, raw energy, and an unmistakable voice that defined heavy metal for generations. Yet behind the leather jackets, wild stage antics, and heavy riffs was a man with a tender heart—a man who, even in contemplating his own mortality, thought first about the people he loved.
In a 2011 interview with The Times of London, Ozzy reflected on life and death with the candid honesty only he could muster. “If my life ended now, nobody would go, ‘F***ing hell,’” he said with a chuckle. “I’ve lived a hell of a life. A fun life. Not all good fun, but a lot of fun.” It was this balance of humor and sincerity that would later define how he approached his own farewell.
Those close to Ozzy have shared that before his passing, the rock icon quietly made arrangements to ease the sorrow of those he left behind. Perhaps the most touching of these gestures was for his wife, Sharon. He arranged for flowers to be delivered to her every single day for the rest of her life—a daily reminder that even death could not silence his love. “I love her more than anything in the world,” he once said. “I couldn’t live without her. I don’t want to live without her.”
But Ozzy’s plans for his own sendoff were anything but somber. He never wanted a “mope fest,” as he called it. Instead, he envisioned a celebration—a final party to honor a life lived without regret. He requested that no one dwell on the bad times or turn the day into a quiet mourning. “A lot of people see nothing but misery their whole lives,” he said in 2011. “By any measure, most of us—especially rock stars like me—are very lucky. That’s why I don’t want my funeral to be sad. I want it to be a time to say thanks.”
In a 2016 interview with NME, Ozzy revealed the song he wanted played at his funeral: A Day in the Life by The Beatles. It was a fitting choice for a man whose journey had been anything but ordinary. Yet in typical Ozzy fashion, he also made it clear he didn’t want any “happy songs” and jokingly rejected the idea of a greatest-hits compilation, admitting he never listened to it himself. “I’m dead,” he quipped. “If they want to put on Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle, and We Are the Diddymen, fine—whatever makes them happy.”
Ozzy’s dark humor extended to the sendoff itself. He even suggested pranks: the sound of knocking from inside his coffin or a video of him asking a doctor for a second opinion on his “diagnosis of death.” It was this unshakable wit that reminded fans why they loved him—not just as a musician, but as a personality larger than life.
Tomorrow, July 30, his final wishes will be honored in his hometown of Birmingham. A private funeral will be held for family and close friends, while fans will have their chance to say goodbye in a public procession down Broad Street, accompanied by a live band. Streets will close early, and for those who cannot attend in person, the farewell will be livestreamed—ensuring that the man who brought heavy metal to the masses gets a sendoff worthy of a legend.
Ozzy Osbourne lived as he wished: loudly, fully, and unapologetically. And even in death, he leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and music that will continue to roar in the hearts of millions. May he rest in peace—and may his final curtain call be just as unforgettable as the life he lived.