Marilyn Manson breaks silence on his ‘beloved friend’ Ozzy Osbourne after leading rock royalty at the Black Sabbath star’s funeral

Marilyn Manson recently spoke up, offering a touching tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, whom he referred to as his cherished friend, following his appearance at the funeral service for the rock legend last Thursday.

On July 22, Ozzy, who passed away at the age of 76, was laid to rest in the estate of his own mansion located in Buckinghamshire, fulfilling his expressed wish.

After the funeral, Marilyn posted a touching message on Instagram, honoring the rocker who had always been his greatest source of inspiration.

Today, we bid farewell to a cherished friend. I remain forever thankful for the privilege of being welcomed into your life, Ozzy. [In this paraphrase, I’ve attempted to maintain the original meaning and tone while making it more conversational and easy to read.]

“I’ll forever carry your inspiration and affection with me. A heartfelt thank you to Sharon and the entire family for creating such a touching, lovely service. May your memory continue to endure.” (Paraphrased sentence)

On the day of Ozzy’s funeral, Marilyn took the lead in guiding celebrities attending a private farewell ceremony, as the legendary heavy metal figure was interred.

Guests also included Manson’s wife Lindsay Usich and Ozzy’s lead guitarist Zakk Wylde. 

Embracing my inner rockstar, I greeted the arrivals adorned in gothic and heavy metal styles fitting for the occasion. Rob Zombie accessorized his appearance with an array of skulls on a striking black scarf, while Manson chose a long, sleek black jacket to complete his ensemble.

In the estate’s beautiful gardens, a large display of flowers forms a heartfelt homage to the legendary heavy metal artist, saying, ‘OZZY DEAR OSBOURNE’, by the tranquil waters of Lake Osbourne.

Yesterday, during the memorial procession, an homage to ‘Ozzy’, inspired by flowers, was also set upon a fountain.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I found myself amidst the vibrant bustle of Birmingham’s downtown core on a chilly Wednesday, where a heartfelt, mass-attended funeral procession was underway.

At the site where tributes were placed for Ozzy, Sharon (aged 72) was comforted by her children Jack, Kelly, and Aimee. They made a peace sign as a gesture of thanks to fans. Louis, Ozzy’s son from his earlier marriage to Thelma Riley, was also present.

Yesterday at the poignant farewell event in Birmingham, I had the honor of viewing the stunning floral tributes dedicated to my beloved rock star hero, proudly exhibited for all to see. It was a moving experience that I will carry with me forever.

Over the past week, heartfelt condolences have been abundant following the death of Osbourne at the age of 76 – a man who expressed a desire for minimal funeral commotion in prior conversations.

In 2011, the legendary Black Sabbath member expressed his thoughts about his future funeral service: ” frankly, I don’t have any strong preferences for the music played at my funeral – they could choose a medley of Justin Bieber, Susan Boyle, and ‘We Are The Diddymen’, if it brings them joy. However, I do want to ensure that the event is more about celebration rather than mourning.

Yesterday, a funeral procession was headed by a lively brass ensemble, Bostin’ Brass, playing adaptations of Black Sabbath tunes like “Iron Man,” as thousands of emotional fans lined the streets and joined in the singing, paying their respects to Ozzy in song.

Tents for speeches and a stage for music had been set up near the pond, where personal homages were offered at his residence.

Under large canopies because of the afternoon’s rain shower, guests took their seats. Meanwhile, catering services equipped with their own power generators were set up in the garden.

From early this morning, a substantial security setup was arranged to make sure that the event adhered strictly to the preferences of the late Mrs. Sharon, who wished for an exclusive gathering by invitation only.

A group of security personnel with dogs and traffic controllers monitored the boundaries of the estate, while traffic flow was managed along the winding rural road approaching the Osbourne residence.

However, diehard fans did leave flowers outside the gates to their rock idol.

In 2011, Ozzy expressed his wishes for his funeral, stating that he wants it to be a celebration rather than a somber event.

I’m also open to suggestions for practical jokes. Perhaps something like a fake knock from within a coffin, or a video where I humorously ask my doctor for a second opinion about his diagnosis of “death”.

As a committed supporter, I choose to focus on the positive and avoid dwelling on hardships. It’s essential to remember that many individuals live through adversity for their entire lives, making it crucial to cherish the good moments.

In essence, it’s safe to say that the majority of us living here, including individuals like myself who have achieved success, are incredibly fortunate. Consequently, I prefer my funeral not to be a somber occasion, but rather a time for expressing gratitude.

In his memoir titled “I Am Ozzy,” published in 2010, he penned down that death is inevitable for all, just as it eventually visits everyone.

As a dedicated follower, I’ve communicated to Sharon my specific wishes regarding my final resting place: “Sharon, please, refrain from cremation for me. Instead, I desire to be buried in a beautiful, tranquil garden setting, with a tree serving as a memorial above my grave.

A desirable choice for a tree would be a crabapple, ideally, as it could potentially yield fruit for the children to create wine from, resulting in an enjoyable experience, though not excessively intoxicating.

‘Regarding what will be written on my tombstone, I have no false expectations. If I imagine it in my mind, I can already see it. The name: Ozzy Osbourne, Born: 1948, Died: whenever it may be. He infamously bit the head off a bat.’

In the end, massive groups amassed several hours prior to the 1pm commencement on Wednesday, aiming to express their tributes for the “Prince of Darkness.” This iconic figure is renowned for his songs such as “Paranoid” and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.

As the hearse transporting a florally decorated coffin labeled with the name “Ozzy,” in honor of the deceased singer, moved past his childhood residence on Lodge Road, Aston, it was slightly beyond one o’clock in the afternoon.

Arrangements of flowers were set up beyond the sloped residence, near Villa Park, as the homeowners displayed an image of Osbourne within the front bay window.

A Jaguar hearse, accompanied by six Mercedes funeral vehicles, a group of police motorcyclists, and a patrol car, moved slowly down the street with a small crowd of spectators and the present homeowner looking on.

Many individuals could be seen gathering, not just on Black Sabbath Bridge, but throughout the city center’s path where his procession was heading towards the Black Sabbath Bridge seat.

In another part of London, during the ceremony of changing the guard, the Coldstream Guards honored the heavy metal legend in a unique way by playing a version of his famous song “Paranoid” themselves.

In the past few days, people have been placing touching notes and bouquets of flowers near a mural depicting Black Sabbath on Navigation Street, as a tribute to the legendary heavy metal musician who hails from the Aston district of Birmingham.

People from the general public have also added their tributes in a book of condolences, initiated by the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, at present hosting an exhibit titled “Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025): Born a Working Class Hero.

During the planning phase, the Birmingham City Council worked closely with the Osbourne family, who covered all related expenses for the procession.

Prior to today’s continuation of service, The Sun reportedly cited a source stating that singer Yungblud, who has developed a close relationship with Ozzy in recent times, will perform a tribute or interpretation.

On the same day, you’ll find his Sabbath comrades – Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler – as well as James Hetfield from Metallica, in attendance.

‘Elton John is also hoping to join the family at the church.

Sharon and her family were deeply moved by the heartfelt messages they received not just from Ozzy’s close friends, but also from fans worldwide.

Osbourne, also known as Ozzy, along with his Black Sabbath comrades – Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward – have been honored with the title of ‘Freemen of Birmingham.’ This prestigious recognition is bestowed upon individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the city.

The band that was established in 1968 is often acknowledged for establishing and making popular the sound characteristic of heavy metal music.

In the 2000s, Ozzy Osbourne, who already had a thriving solo career, gained a fresh wave of followers when he featured on the reality TV show The Osbournes. This series prominently featured his wife Sharon, as well as their two younger children, Kelly and Jack.

Back in 2019, when a music legend learned he had Parkinson’s disease, he played his final show on July 5. This extraordinary event was shared with performances by groups such as Anthrax, Metallica, and Guns N’ Roses.

In simple terms, Ozzy Osbourne performed a goodbye show at Villa Park stadium in his hometown of Birmingham only about three weeks prior to his passing. This was the first time he had joined forces with his original Black Sabbath bandmates since the year 2005.

Over 42,000 enthusiastic spectators filled the venue for the Back To The Beginning concert, and in his closing remarks to the audience, he expressed his feelings sincerely: “I can’t even describe what you mean to me – thank you from the depths of my heart.

The screen displayed a message: ‘Thank you for everything, you’re truly incredible. Keep shining, Birmingham!’ As the night sky burst into fireworks.

He revealed that this was his final performance because he’s dealing with health issues, having disclosed his struggle with Parkinson’s disease back in 2020.

Last Tuesday, Ozzy’s family announced his passing, expressing their sorrow in a statement that read, “With heavier hearts than language can express, we are saddened to announce the death of our cherished Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away this morning, enveloped in love.

He is survived by his wife Sharon and his five children Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly and Jack.

Last Wednesday, it was disclosed by the Daily Mail that a helicopter emergency service was summoned to Ozbourne’s expansive rural estate due to paramedics working tirelessly for two hours to preserve his life.

According to friends, Sharon was contemplating a private, family burial for Ozzy in the gardens of their sprawling 350-acre property, as she copes with her heartbreak.

Born as John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham back in 1948, Ozzy left school when he was just 15 years old.

After serving two months in prison for burglary, he decided to pursue his love of music.

By the year 1970, Black Sabbath, previously known as Earth, had amassed a significant fanbase both in the United States and the United Kingdom, largely due to the launch of their debut album.

In 1978, Ozzy Osbourne left the band, followed by his divorce from Thelma Mayfair four years later. They were parents to two children together, and this split occurred during his persistent struggles with drug and alcohol issues.

Later, he wed his second spouse, Sharon. With her support, he evolved into a thriving solo performer, and they welcomed three kids into their family.

Ozzy gained a whole new audience of fans with the family’s reality TV show The Osbournes in 2001.

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2025-08-01 17:39