Seat of the rock gods
GEEZER. Made 1968. These are the eight words set to immortalise rock legends Black Sabbath – in heavy metal, or stainless steel to be precise.
Plans are afoot to give rock gods a Broad Street ‘Metal Bench’ that will have be handmade in the Jewellery Quarter.
A bridge could also be renamed in the group’s honour, too.
If approved by the city council, the move would coincide with plans to make Bill Ward the band’s fourth and final recipient of a Walk Of Stars award. And at the same time, Black Sabbath as a group would be awarded one collectively.
The transition from a blues band called Earth to a demonic heavy metal band sparked a global music revolution which has spawned multiple strands of metal music.
It is 50 years since the godfathers of metal played their first gig at The Crown pub in Station Street behind New Street Station.
And it’s almost two years since they brought their final world tour The End to a thunderous climax with two stunning shows at the Genting Arena in February 2017. Now, the Birmingham Post has learned of a Westside BID Ozzy. Tony. Bill. in Birmingham proposal for the stretch of Broad Street over the canal next to Symphony Hall and the ICC to be called the Black Sabbath Bridge.
The special bench would be against the railings overlooking the New Main Line canal with rock venue Arena Birmingham in the distance.
Plans to give the band and drummer Bill Ward their own Walk Of Stars awards would enable pavement stars for all members and the band to be realigned in the shape of a cross in front of the bench.
The idea is one of a number of local initiatives to “create new significant visitor attractions for both locals and tourists from around the globe”.
The scheme has been developed from an idea by Egyptianborn Black Sabbath superfan Mohammed Osama, now based in Dubai, who approached West- side BID on Broad Street. Artwork has been done by Egyptian artist Tarek Abdelkawi – an illustrator, graphic designer and musician with an architectural background.
It is being supported by Home Of Metal, which will stage a major exhibition at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in the summer of 2019.
“If we get approval, all of the stars will be rearranged and the bridge itself will also be named after the band,” says Mohammed. “The band members and their managements have been kept in the loop as well.
“My vision is to reunite the four original members for the unveiling of the stars in their hometown.
“No gigs or anything, just the four of them being celebrated together would be the best ending and closure I could possibly think of.”