In a breathtaking fusion of tradition and rock ‘n’ roll rebellion, the Band of the Coldstream Guards stunned onlookers on July 30, 2025, by performing Black Sabbath’s legendary “Paranoid” during Buckingham Palace’s Changing of the Guard. The tribute honored Ozzy Osbourne, the godfather of heavy metal, who had passed away just eight days earlier.
As the unmistakable riff echoed beneath the palace’s historic gates, crowds of tourists and fans erupted in cheers. Dressed in their iconic bearskin hats and ceremonial red coats, the guards delivered a majestic brass rendition of the 1970 classic—replacing electric distortion with regal precision but capturing every ounce of its defiant spirit.
“This is Britishness at its finest,” one witness said. “I haven’t felt this proud in years.”
Though the Changing of the Guard typically features classical and patriotic music, this powerful salute wasn’t Ozzy’s first connection to the royal family. He performed at Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, shared moments with then-Prince Charles at a Prince’s Trust event in 2006, and was gifted a bottle of scotch by Charles following a serious accident in 2003.
But this tribute marked a historic moment: the monarchy honoring a true working-class icon of rock music.
While the brass band played in London, thousands gathered in Birmingham—Ozzy’s hometown—to pay their respects during his public funeral procession. Later, a private funeral at his Buckinghamshire estate brought together music legends including Elton John, Marilyn Manson, and Corey Taylor.
From the gritty streets of Birmingham to the grand gates of Buckingham Palace, Ozzy Osbourne’s legacy lives on—a working-class hero saluted by kings.
