Call for lasting Black Sabbath legacy in Birmingham

Each of the four founding members of the heavy metal band are set to become Freemen of the City in a prestigious ceremony next Tuesday.

The city council has said the honorary title is awarded to people in recognition of their service to the city and is one of the oldest traditional ceremonies in the country.

Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Terence “Geezer” Butler and Bill Ward will join the likes of William Adlington Cadbury, founder of the world-famous chocolate brand, and former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, in the recognition.

But those campaigning to ‘protect’ Birmingham’s Station Street, a road steeped in cultural importance, want to see further action to celebrate the band’s enormous success and impact.

The future of the street, which runs behind Grand Central and New Street, was thrust back into the public consciousness last year following the sudden closure of the Electric Cinema.

It is also home to The Crown Inn, best-known for being the venue where Black Sabbath performed their first gig.

Despite its historic importance, the pub has been vacant for many years.

Darren John, from the Save Station Street campaign, told the Local Democracy Service today that he was “delighted” to see Black Sabbath being awarded Freedom of the City.

“Icons don’t do Osbourne, Butler, Iommi and Ward justice,” he said.

However he said that Birmingham City Council should use their compulsory purchase powers to “save” The Crown and provide a “true, lasting legacy”.

He went on to describe the pub as the “birthplace of Black Sabbath and spiritual home of Brummie music”.

“More than 20 Rock and Roll Hall of Famers learned their trade in that pub,” he said. “John Bright Street, Hill Street and Station Street were the centre of the musical universe.

“You can trace Led Zepellin, ELO, Judas Priest, UB40, The Beat, Fleetwood Mac, Steve Winwood, Sabbath and dozens more to that triangle of venues.

“The Crown should be the inspiration and platform for a new wave of Brummie music and Hall of Fame stars while shouting about the best of local culture.”

He added there is “Brummie magic” in the walls at The Crown, saying: “The council needs to act without delay.”

The Save Station Street campaign has been backed by the likes of Succession star Brian Cox, Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and Ozzy Osbourne himself.

Jez Collins, the founder of Birmingham Music Archive, also described the recent announcement about Black Sabbath as “brilliant news”.

“Now let’s get The Crown back into safe hands and reopened so people can visit the cradle of heavy metal,” he said.

After the venue secured Grade II listing last year, Mr Collins said: “This is a venue that deserves its place on Historic England’s listings – but we need more.

“We need to ensure The Crown re-opens, we need to bring it back to life as a cultural venue, a music venue and a place people will want to visit.”

‘Important gateway to Birmingham’

Council leader John Cotton described Station Street last year as a “landmark part of the city and an important gateway to Birmingham”.

He also insisted that a “revised heritage policy” alongside the “strengthening of the heritage narrative” in an ambitious strategy for the next two decades addressed concerns over the street.

In this week’s announcement, Coun Sharon Thompson, deputy leader of the city council, said: “Birmingham has a fantastic musical culture and Black Sabbath are a major part of that history, a pioneering band that still influences today’s musicians.

“They have become synonymous with the city and have been true ambassadors throughout their phenomenal careers.”

Ozzy Osbourne added: “I’m honoured and, at the same time, shocked that I would have ever been considered for this very special commendation.

“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.”

Black Sabbath has sold over 75 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

The band currently has a star on the Broad Street Walk of Stars, alongside individual stars in their own right, together with a bench in their honour on Broad Street.