The award is largely symbolic today, though historically it allowed recipients to own land and trade freely in the days of feudal lords. It is a prestigious honour, granted only after a majority vote at a special council meeting. Most of the figures honoured are either from the military or local politics, however the more recognisable recipients include conductor Sir Simon Rattle, members of the Cadbury family, and four former UK Prime Ministers.

The members of @BlackSabbath set to be given Freedom of the City of Birmingham.

City Freeman is awarded to people in recognition of their service to the city and is one of the oldest traditional ceremonies in the country.

Read more inc. comments from the band 1/2 pic.twitter.com/V20CM55N9v

— Bham City Council (@BhamCityCouncil) January 21, 2025

Black Sabbath, the heavy metal pioneers who formed in Birmingham in 1968, have long been celebrated in their hometown. The founding members—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—are already commemorated on Birmingham’s Walk of Stars, as is the band, celebrating the lineups that didn’t feature all four founders.  Taking their name from a horror film featuring Boris Karloff, Black Sabbath were called “the Beatles of heavy metal” by Rolling Stone magazine, and tracks like ‘Paranoid’, ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Crazy Train’ would go on to influence the next generations of heavy metal. 

Ozzy Osbourne was both appreciative and surprised, saying, “I’m honoured and, at the same time, shocked that I would have ever been considered for this very special commendation. I’m a proud Brummie from Aston through and through.” Iommi described it as a “great honour,” while Butler praised the city for its cultural contributions: “Without Birmingham, the world would be a much poorer place.”

 

 

 

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Deputy council leader Councillor Sharon Thompson recognised the band’s impact, stating, “Black Sabbath are a major part of Birmingham’s musical history… They have become synonymous with the city and have been true ambassadors throughout their phenomenal careers.”

A report published on Birmingham City Council’s website went into more detail about the reason for the special award. “Black Sabbath have played a major part in the musical culture of the city and have since been synonymous with it. They continue to influence today’s music and bands such as Metallica, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Iron Maiden, Soundgarden, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Slipknot and Judas Priest, who have all cited the influence of Black Sabbath on them and their work”. The report also concluded that any cost associated with the ceremony would likely be covered by a third party, as well as making clear that each political party on the council was consulted.

Benjamin Zephaniah @BZephaniah to be the posthumously awarded the City of Birmingham Medal.

This recognises his ‘unique and distinguished contribution to the field of literature and for his charitable and community work’.

Read more 1/2 pic.twitter.com/esHPFX6zX6

— Bham City Council (@BhamCityCouncil) January 21, 2025

Benjamin Zephaniah, who passed away in December 2023, was one of Birmingham’s most celebrated poets and activists. Despite spending most of his adult life in London, he often referred to himself as a “son of Birmingham” and drew on his experiences growing up in the city for his work.  

Zephaniah’s brother, Tippa Naphtali, reflected on the honour, saying, “Benjamin helped put Birmingham on the map… He remained committed to promoting and supporting Birmingham on a national and international stage.” Zephaniah’s poetry, often addressing issues like racial injustice, has been taught in schools across the UK, inspiring countless writers from all backgrounds.

Such an inspiration to me. Definitely pushed me to be braver with my poetry

— Jade Smoulders (@JadeSmoulders) January 21, 2025

Like Black Sabbath, a list of reasons for Zephaniah’s inclusion appeared on the council website. “It is often said that the accessibility of Benjamin’s work has inspired young writers to take up writing as well as inspiring many of the new generation of rappers. Included in his work was the quote; “The world is full of hate, but it’s also full of hope. We need to focus on that hope”.

Both Black Sabbath and Benjamin Zephaniah represent the best of Birmingham, a city often overlooked due to its industrial heritage. Both were instrumental in pushing boundaries in their respective fields, and have given the city figures to be proud of. While Black Sabbath put Birmingham at the heart of heavy metal, Zephaniah made poetry accessible to all, sharing stories of struggle and triumph.

He first made the writing of his book public in March last year. He announced that he had started writing a memoir of his life, in order to pass his many intriguing stories down his bloodline, after having realised how little he actually held close to him about his parents. He explains this in an interview with Cleveland “I don’t really know much about my mum and dad, ’cause they were always just there. So, I started writing a memoir for my grandkids to read, and that’s been fun going through stuff”. 

Having been in such a pioneering group for the music we see shaped today, no doubt will the book be a must read for, not only the metalheads, but for all who have a general interest in the sector. Butler will have the chance to give us an insight of his upbringing in Birmingham living in a working class environment, where he first co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 as a teenager, alongside his mates; vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tommy Iommi and drummer Bill Ward.

Originally, he was a guitarist in another band called Rare Breed. But eventually, when they formed Black Sabbath, he passed onto playing bass when Iommi made it very clear he did not want to play beside another guitarist. As a matter of fact, Geezer Butler admits that the first time he ever disturbed anything out of a bass was on stage, using a borrowed one from a mate which only had three strings on it.

The English icon has come to spill his character and music building experiences on paper and the public couldn’t be more excited. Expecting to receive first hand insight of what Black Sabbath music was originally formed by. He will delve into all his stories, from a working class Birmingham in the 1960’s consisting of grimy pubs and drunken fights, the forming of the band and how it got its name, gigs with lethal endings, the reflection of what they have achieved in the last five decades and the rest of it.

In an interview he reflects “It’s a great achievement to still be relevant 50 years after we recorded our first two albums. We honestly thought we’d last a few years, then be forgotten about. Fifty years ago any form of popular music was seen as a passing fad”, allowing himself the rekindling of a lifetime of rewarding memories.

Click here to pre-order.

Speaking to Metal Hammer about the band’s upcoming gig as part of British Summer Time, Iommi stated that “It could be the last ever Sabbath show”. Formed in Birmingham in 1968, Black Sabbath have remained one of the most popular British rock bands over the past half-century.

Though there may have been several line-up changes throughout the years, Iommi has been the only ever-present member and he makes up one third of the current set-up alongside Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler. He completed treatment for lymphoma in March and though things may be looking up, Iommi states that he is at a stage now where [he has] no support, which means [he has] to see whether the cancer is coming back or if it’s still there or what”.

Catch Black Sabbath, quite possibly for the last time ever, at British Summer Time on July 4th alongside Faith No More, Motorhead and more. For tickets and event details, click here.