Black Sabbath and Benjamin Zephaniah to be awarded for services to the city of Birmingham

The members of Black Sabbath are set to be given the honorary award, and revolutionary poet, writer and musician Benjamin Zephaniah is to be posthumously awarded the City of Birmingham Medal.

The title of City Freeman is awarded to people in recognition of their service to the city and is one of the oldest traditional ceremonies in the country.

A report is to go to city council on January 28 recommending that each founding member of Black Sabbath become a Freeman of the City of Birmingham - that would make Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Terence “Geezer” Butler and Bill Ward City Freemen. 

The band is considered a pioneer of heavy metal and was formed in 1968 in Aston, Birmingham.

It has sold over 75 million albums worldwide and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, awarded a Lifetime Ivor Novello Songwriting Award in 2015 and was presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

Black Sabbath also has a star on the Broad Street Walk of Stars, alongside individual stars in their own right, together with a bench in their honour.

A separate report will go to the same meeting recommending the posthumous award of the City of Birmingham Medal to Benjamin Zephaniah, recognising his ‘unique and distinguished contribution to the field of literature and for his charitable and community work’.

Benjamin Zephaniah was born in Handsworth and became a trail-blazing poet whose work was featured in the national curriculum. 

As well as his huge body of poetry he was a writer, musician and actor.

He published his first poetry collection, Pen Rhythm, in 1979, and started performing poetry at demonstrations and youth gatherings. His writing often responded direct to events. 

Benjamin was heavily influenced by Jamaican music and poetry and released a number of albums.

A public artwork celebrating Birmingham’s diversity, unveiled in 2021, featured words from Benjamin Zephaniah’s poem ‘We Refugees’.

He sadly died of a brain tumour in December 2023 at the age of 65, with his wife by his side. 

Upon receiving the Freeman award, Ozzy Osbourne said he wished his parents had 'seen what he became'. 

"I’m honoured and, at the same time, shocked that I would have ever been considered for this very special commendation," the musician said.

"I’m a proud Brummie from Aston through and through. I’m still amazed to this day that no one outside of Birmingham can understand a word I say, but that’s always made me laugh. I started with nothing but a dream, which I shared with Tony, Geezer and Bill. We never gave up on that dream. My only regret is that my Mom and Dad are not here to see what I became. 

"Birmingham Forever!"

Guitarist and composer Tony Iommi added: "I’m over the moon! What a great honour to be a City Freeman. I’m aware that very few are given out. It ties us to the rich history of our hometown Birmingham, and that’s fantastic. I’m deeply grateful for the recognition."

Bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler said: "It is a great honour to be awarded a City Freeman by my hometown, the great City of Birmingham. Growing up in Aston I couldn't have wished for a better childhood, from top notch schools, friendly neighbours and life-long friends, and of course the world's greatest football team, Aston Villa.

"Birmingham has given the world some of the greatest inventions and innovations, in science, industry, the arts, literature, music, and all walks of life, and without Birmingham, the world would be a much poorer place. Thank you, fellow Brummies, for this amazing honour."

Drummer Bill Ward said: "Thank you, Lord Mayor and Birmingham City Council. For our legendary fans, a solemn bow. Long live Black Sabbath."

Benjamin Zephaniah’s brother Tippa Naphtali gave a statement on behalf of the family.

“Although Benjamin lived, worked and developed his performing and writing skills in Newham, East London for over three decades of his life, he always saw himself as a 'son of Birmingham' and never lost his connection with the city over all those years, and after his move to rural Lincolnshire in the early 2000s," Tippa said. 

“This was compounded with his long involvement and patronage with numerous organisations, educational institutions, literary establishments and the arts in Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.

“Following Benjamin's death in December 2023, his family were approached by many individuals, organisations and institutions who wanted to stage events or initiatives in his memory. In total, the family worked with over forty-five such parties nationally in the year following his passing.

“Such was the strength of feeling in Birmingham, we have worked (and are still working) with third parties on a number of legacy projects.

“Benjamin helped put Birmingham on the map. Right up to his death he remained committed to doing everything he could to promote and support Birmingham on a national and international stage and was passionate about giving the city the recognition and national profile that it deserves.”