Black Sabbath Receiving Freedom of Birmingham in Honor of Musical Legacy
Birmingham city council discussed and approved granting the Freedom of Birmingham honor to Black Sabbath’s original members.
The metal pioneers — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — needed support from two-thirds of the city council for this special recognition. The city council typically awards this honor to a person or military unit for exceptional service. However, the rock legends make history as the first musicians to receive this honor.
Black Sabbath was formed in Aston, Birmingham, in 1968, and is a pioneer of the heavy metal genre. Ozzy’s wife/manager, Sharon, shared how much the award would mean to him.
“He’s just Ozzy from Brum,” said Sharon Osbourne, according to the BBC. “He owes so much to Birmingham; it’s his blood; that’s who he is.”
Despite living in America for years, the singer maintains strong connections to his hometown with eager plans to return. However, significant health problems spanning six years have kept Ozzy from coming back to his hometown, making him cancel several planned visits.
Sharon expressed that the nomination came at the right time for Ozzy. “He couldn’t be happier right now, it’s come at a great time for him.”
Jim Simpson, the band’s early manager, supports the nomination. He highlights their influence on rock music worldwide: “They single-handedly invented a style of heavy rock which in turn has inspired eight or 10 or 12 other forms of heavy rock. Not many bands can claim to do that.”
During the same January meeting, council members will also consider giving the honor to Benjamin Zephaniah, a popular poet and actor. The Freedom of Birmingham title is the highest recognition the council can provide its residents.