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 is set to be honored by his hometown of Birmingham, England.\ Osbourne passed away on July 22, at the age of 76, just two weeks after his final performance in the city with his band, Black Sabbath. On Wednesday, fans will be able to line the streets to pay their respects to the rock icon as a procession passes through the streets.

When people in Alabama think about Birmingham, they don't tend to picture the city across the pond. Thousands of fans are flocking to Birmingham, England, the city where Ozzy Osbourne grew up and started Black Sabbath in 1968.