Elton and Ozzy maintained a friendship spanning decades as legends in their respective musical domains. The Rocket Man hitmaker and the Black Sabbath frontman undoubtedly bonded as survivors of highly publicized, long-term struggles with substance abuse - while also ranking among the world's most celebrated performers.

Sir Elton John will pay his last respects to his friend, Ozzy Osbourne, in Birmingham today following the Black Sabbath star's heartbreaking death last week

Thousands of Black Sabbath fans paid 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. (July 30)