F precious metal
To Live – off Sabbath abbath.” Best riff? “Sympe Universe.” th noting that this song’s ude the line: ‘‘All I have to s a love that never dies’’ – a
which eminently sums up the band’s ferociously loyal, global appeal.
One of Chris’s fellow superfan friends is Stephen Knowles, 53.
He has had the honour of having his Dudley living room recreated as part of the exhibition. It features bookcases and memorabilia on the wall as well as his favourite armchair.
One of the first visitors to look round the exhibition before it opened to the public was Tony Iommi’s manager, Ralph Baker.
“I think it looks great,” he said. “You just hope they can find somewhere to stage it permanently afterwards.”
That place would be The Crown pub on Station Street if city music lovers had their way.
It’s the place where Earth played their first gigs in 1968 before their blues style of music changed as much as their name.
The pub has been closed for five years after being bought by Japanese developers Toyoko. It has recently been daubed in graffiti, but Birmingham Music Archive pioneer Jez Collins hasn’t given up just yet that it could become Birmingham’s equivalent of The Cavern.
“The Crown could have been a top tourism destination for visitors to the 2022 Commonwealth Games, with ‘boutique hotel’ rooms named after Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill,” he said.
Black Sabbath 50 Years runs to September 29. Advance booking is essential. Adult tickets are £12, child tickets £7, family tickets £30 (plus booking fee). Visit www.homeofmetal. com or call 0121 348 8000.