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 returned to the “home of metal” for the last time on Wednesday as an emotional Birmingham honored one of its most cherished sons. Thousands of Black Sabbath fans paid their respects to the band's frontman as his hearse made its way through the city center followed by his tearful wife and children.

Sharon and Kelly Osbourne — who starred alongside Ozzy in the family's genre-defining reality show — were in tears as they lay flowers at the Black Sabbath Bridge in Birmingham, England.