The streets of New Orleans were recently transformed into a heavy metal celebration as hundreds of fans dressed up as the late Ozzy Osbourne during the city’s world-famous Mardi Gras festivities.
The spectacular tribute took place during the Krewe of Muses parade and was organized by The Dead Rock Stars, an all-male dance crew that gathers annually to march in the festival. Keeping with their yearly tradition of honoring a rock star who has passed away over the previous twelve months, the group chose to celebrate the iconic Black Sabbath frontman. Ozzy passed away last July, just weeks after his final concert at Villa Park in Birmingham.
A viral video from the event showcased a massive procession of 225 individuals marching in matching Ozzy costumes, complete with his signature wigs, blue glasses, and crosses. The tribute featured a dedicated float with banners and a Grand Marshal dressed as his wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne. The real Sharon Osbourne fully endorsed the celebration, sharing footage of the marching lookalikes on her Instagram story.
To participate, members must sign up every year and purchase the designated costume. The Dead Rock Stars explained their mission on their official Facebook page:
“Each year a new dead rock star will be chosen to honor. We are no 610 Stompers, but we do bring the jam with some whiskey on the side.”
The parade route was fueled by a rolling playlist of heavy metal classics, with the massive group breaking out into coordinated dance routines to the Black Sabbath anthem “Paranoid” numerous times as they progressed through the city.
Among the hundreds of impersonators was Stephen Rea, a close friend of the Prince of Darkness for over forty years and author of the recent book “Ozzy and Me.” Speaking to the BBC ahead of the event, Rea explained why the singer was the perfect choice to honor this year:
“There was only ever going to be one choice this year,” he said. “The greatest rock singer the world’s ever seen.”
Rea also noted that members of the Osbourne family had traveled all the way from England to watch the parade in person. Looking ahead, he expressed hopes of bringing the massive tribute crew overseas for an upcoming memorial event:
“I would love to get everybody across for Ozzy‘s celebration in July in Birmingham,” he said. With the one-year anniversary, I think there are plans for that,” he added.
