Black Sabbath Honored With “Heavy Metal” Bench Unveiling In Their Hometown


Black Sabbath in 1970, photo by Warner Brothers Records

Hall of Famers and founders of Heavy Metal and all of its subgenres, Black Sabbath was honored in their hometown of Birmingham UK today with a “Heavy Metal” bench. Tony Iommi was on hand for the ceremony organized by Westside Business Improvement District. The handmade, stainless steel bench was forged in the city by Gateway Steel Fabrications and features images of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward with the words “Geezer. Ozzy. Tony. Bill. Made in Birmingham 1968” etched on it. The bench’s artwork was created by Egyptian artist Tarek Abdelkawi. The presentation took place at St Luke’s Church on Gas Street. The event also saw Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward awarded with his own star on the city’s Walk Of Stars, which honors famous people from Birmingham. According to BBC News, the bench, the idea of “super-fan” and architect Mohammed Osam, was put on the renamed Black Sabbath Bridge over the canal on Broad Street.