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Ozzy army descends on Mardi Gras parade

Josh Sandiford,West Midlandsand
Ed James,BBC Radio WM
News imageStephen Rea A large group of people wearing black coats and trousers and T-shirts which have a picture of the face of Ozzy Osbourne on. The people are also wearing bluey-purple sunglasses, with many also wearing long dark wigs. Stephen Rea
Dozens of people marched dressed as Ozzy Osbourne to honour the late star

Ozzy Osbourne has been honoured at this year's Mardi Gras in New Orleans, with more than 200 people parading through the streets dressed as the Prince of Darkness.

The Black Sabbath frontman, who died last July just weeks after his final concert at Villa Park in Birmingham, was being celebrated as part of an annual tradition honouring rock stars who have passed away in the previous 12 months.

Stephen Rea, a friend of Osbourne's for more than 40 years, was among those taking part.

Ahead of the event, he told BBC Radio WM that 225 people would march in matching Ozzy costumes, complete with wigs, blue glasses and crosses.

News imageStephen Rea A shot looking down on a crowd of people most dressed in black. Some have their arms up in the air. The crowd is in front of several large floats which look like yellow rubber ducks. Stephen Rea
Mardi Gras features floats, marching bands and dance crews

"There was only ever going to be one choice this year," he said. "The greatest rock singer the world's ever seen."

The tribute is part of a week of parades that draws hundreds of thousands of people from around the world to the streets of New Orleans.

News imageStephen Rea A large crowd of people with most dressed as Ozzy Osbourne. Those dressed as Ozzy Osbourne are wearing black jackets, black trousers, wigs and T-shirts with Ozzy Osbourne's face on. Stephen Rea
The fans were paying tribute to "the greatest rock singer the world's ever seen", said Ozzy's friend Stephen Rea
News imageStephen Rea A group of people holding a large banner which has faces of the singer Ozzy Osbourne. A man in the middle behind the banner is smiling with his arms raised. Stephen Rea
The marchers danced and sang as they went through the streets

Mardi Gras, which translates as Fat Tuesday, features floats, marching bands and dance crews across several days of free parades.

Rea said the marchers danced and sang as they progressed through the streets, adding members of the Osbourne family had travelled from England to watch.

"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."

Rea recently published a book called Ozzy and Me, based on notebooks Osbourne gave him while they were on tour together.

It tells the story of their friendship, loyalty and what he describes as wild times.

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