At the ceremony, the original band members of Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward were presented with their Freedom of the City scrolls and medals by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal.
The Freedom of the City honor is one of the oldest traditional ceremonies in the country and recognizes people’s exceptional service to the city. This honor recognizes Black Sabbath’s significance to the cultural and musical identity of Birmingham, their strong association with the city and continued influence as pioneers of heavy metal in both Birmingham and beyond.
As part of the Freedom of the City, each band member received the title of Honorary Freeman and an engraving of their names on the Freedom of the City marble board was also unveiled at the ceremony.
The engravings in the Council House building joins Black Sabbath bridge on Broad Street as a permanent tribute to the band and their accomplishments.
“This is a great working class city, and we’re all working class, from Aston,” said Butler. “We weren’t given a chance when we started out, but Birmingham has always been behind us. People used to make fun of our accents, but we’re all proud Birmingham people and we love this city. It’s one of the greatest cities ever, it’s given the world so much and we’re proud to be here.”
“It’s a great thing to receive,” added Iommi. “Birmingham is our home, and we love what Birmingham has done for us. We’ve got the bridge and the bench, things like that. We’re very grateful.”
“I first put an advert in a music store in town,” recalled Ozzy. “If these guys hadn’t come to my door, I wouldn’t be sitting here now. It seems to have flown by so quickly. It’s amazing. I think about my dad, who went into debt to buy me a microphone. If only he could be here now. I think he would be very proud. I’m a Brummie and I always will be a Brummie. Birmingham Forever!”
“It’s completely overwhelming,” shared Ward. “I’m so proud to be an Astonian. That’s where I got my attitude. It was a blessed – and cursed! – to meet Tony when I was 15, and I’m so proud that I got to know Geezer and Ozzy. They’re my brothers. I love them very much and we love our city very much.”
“From the streets of Aston to global success, the ceremony has been a fitting celebration of their achievements and connection to our city, showcasing the band’s incredible career as pioneers of heavy metal and recognizing their continued legacy as part of Birmingham’s rich musical identity,” said Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of the city council. “Black Sabbath are global ambassadors of our city, and their music continues to inspire musicians across the world, so it has been wonderful to recognize the band with this honor.”
Black Sabbath formed in Aston in 1968, going on to create eight albums and selling over 75 million albums worldwide. Considered pioneers of the heavy metal genre they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, awarded a Lifetime Ivor Novello Songwriting Award in 2015 and were presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
Black Sabbath will reunite for the first time in 20 years when they regroup with Ozzy Osbourne as part of his final live performance.
Billed as “Back To The Beginning”, the July 5 event will see Osbourne play his own short set before being joined by his Sabbath bandmates when they take the stage at Villa Park in the band’s hometown of Birmingham, UK.
Proceeds from the concert event will go to the Cure Parkinson’s, Acorns Children’s Hospice and Birmingham Children’s Hospital charities.
Add some Ozzy to your collection here.
See also:
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath share farewell concert livestream trailer
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath farewell concert available for streaming
The Nine Lives Of Ozzy Osbourne world cinema premiere announced
Ozzy Osbourne announces No Escape From Now documentary
Search Black Sabbath at hennemusic