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.

The metal icon will be laid to rest at a private ceremony in his hometown in the Midlands later in the day on Wednesday (July 30).

In one poignant moment, the hearse drove up and Sharon and the family exited at the Black Sabbath Bridge as a cry of ‘Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy’ rose up from the crowd sparking tears from Ozzy’s wife of 43 years.