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Black Sabbath, the legendary rock band who put heavy metal on the map, have been awarded the Freedom of the City of Birmingham, just days before their farewell concert takes place in the city where it all began.
The group, made up of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, will perform their final-ever gig, aptly titled Back to the Beginning, at Villa Park this Saturday. It will mark the first time all four original members have shared the stage in over 20 years.
Ahead of the milestone performance, the band were honoured with Birmingham’s highest civic award in a private ceremony hosted by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham. Each member received a scroll and medal in recognition of their global influence and their legacy as pioneers of a genre that began in the heart of the city.
During the ceremony, bassist Geezer Butler reflected on the band’s roots, calling Birmingham “a great working-class city.”
“People used to make fun of our accents and we weren’t given a chance when we started out, but Birmingham has always been behind us,” he said.
Frontman Ozzy Osbourne, visibly emotional, added:
“I’m a Brummie and I always will be a Brummie. Birmingham Forever.”
Formed in 1968, Black Sabbath are credited with creating the heavy metal sound, with their self-titled debut album and classics like Paranoid and Iron Man becoming iconic. Their dark, powerful riffs and raw lyrics spoke to a generation and laid the foundation for decades of rock and metal music to come.
Though the band officially retired from touring in 2017, fans were stunned, and thrilled, when it was announced that all four original members would reunite for a final show in their hometown.
The band also signed a new Birmingham mural on the same day – Credit: Darren Quinton/Touchstone Visuals
The honour of the Freedom of the City not only cements Black Sabbath's place in rock history, but it also reaffirms their unbreakable bond with Birmingham.
“It’s where we were born, where it started, and where it ends. And that’s perfect,” said guitarist Tony Iommi.
