Call to save music pub that sparked heavy metal Black Sabbath played first concert there 50 years ago
THE pub where heavy metal legends Black Sabbath gave their first ever concert in 1968 could become a tourist attraction.
That is the claim of Birmingham Music Archive creator Jez Collins who wants The Crown, on the corner of Hill Street and Station Street, restored to make a museum and boutique hotel.
The pub was the home of the UK’s first live folk recording by the Ian Campbell Folk Group, Ceilidh at the Crown, released in 1962. Seventeen years later, singer Ian Campbell’s sons would form reggae band, UB40.
In 1968, the original line-up of the future Black Sabbath played their fist gig together at The Crown under their original name of Earth.
Other top stars, from Robert Plant to Thin Lizzy, Jethro Tull, Supertramp, Judas Priest, UFO, Marc Bolan and Status Quo also played at The Crown, but the former hotel has been empty for four years.
Owners Admiral sold the building to a Japanese developer during the last World Cup in June 2014.
Years of nearby construction work had restricted local access during the building of the John Lewis store opposite, but when the Grand Central shopping centre development opened in September 2015 it quickly began to revitalise the whole area around New Street Station.
While the steps from Grand Central now take city visitors straight down towards The Crown, the pub has remained shut.
Now Mr Collins, who recently left Birmingham City University to create various music-led projects, says he cannot stand idly by any longer.
“We should be celebrating people from this city who have had an impact in music,” he said.
His vision would see The Crown become home to a unique tourist attraction with a ground-floor pub, an all-embracing city music museum on the first floor and hotel rooms above.
To kick-start his campaign, Mr Collins has asked Birmingham City Council to give The Crown a local ‘C’ listing – a move that is set to be considered.
He hopes that by raising awareness it will make it harder for the owners to redevelop the site.