Birmingham City Council is considering giving city honours to local music legends Black Sabbath and Benjamin Zephaniah.
According to the BBC, on Tuesday January 28 the council is due to discuss a proposal to award City Freeman status to the four founding members of the heavy metal band, and give a posthumous medal to the dub poet and musician. The City Freeman title recognises a person’s contribution to a city.
Black Sabbath was formed in the Aston area of Birmingham in 1968, meanwhile, Zephaniah was born in the Handsworth area.
Black Sabbath was founded in Birmingham by singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler and drummer Bill Ward. “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,” said Deputy Leader of the city council Cllr Sharon Thompson – according to Forbes.
“They have become synonymous with the city and have been true ambassadors throughout their phenomenal careers.
Ozzy Osbourne at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CREDIT: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The members of the metal band have responded to the news of potentially being given an official city honour. “I’m honored and, at the same time, shocked that I would have ever been considered for this very special commendation,” vocalist Ozzy Osbourne states.
“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!”
Tony Iommi said: “I’m aware that very few [City Freeman statuses] 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.”
Black Sabbath have received praise in the city before, as in 2019 the metal band were given a bench, and they’ve also had a bridge constructed after them.
The council will also discuss next Tuesday (January 28) whether to award musician, poet and Peaky Blinders actor Benjamin Zephaniah a City of Birmingham Medal. He was also a writer and political activist – and was heralded as a pioneer and innovator who “gave the world so much”.
Poet Benjamin Zephaniah closely inspecting a CND symbol, 1982. (Photo by Michael Ward/Getty Images)
Zephaniah died of a brain tumour in 2023. Since his death, tributes have included a city centre exhibition and a mural.
Born on April 15, 1958, Zephaniah was diagnosed with dyslexia at an early age and left school by age 13, unable to read or write. His inspiration to become a writer was sparked when he was given a typewriter as a gift during childhood.
Famously, he turned down an OBE in 2003, writing: “Benjamin Zephaniah OBE – no way Mr Blair, no way Mrs Queen. I am profoundly anti-empire.” He also said he had begged Tony Blair to meet him to discuss crime in Britain and told the Queen to stop “going on about the empire”.
Two separate reports discussing the relevant honours will be discussed on January 28 by Birmingham City Council.
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