Black Sabbath to be presented with heavy metal bench in Birmingham
Black Sabbath will be personally presented with their own heavy metal bench at a ceremony in Birmingham on Saturday 9th February.
The bespoke steel bench features the faces of all four original members of Black Sabbath - Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – and it will be permanently positioned on the renamed Black Sabbath Bridge across the canal on Birmingham’s Broad Street.
The striking artwork was created by Egyptian artist Tarek Abdelkawi and, alongside the band members’ faces, it also features the words ‘Geezer. Ozzy. Tony. Bill. Made in Birmingham 1968’ emblazoned across it.
The project was first announced back in November 2018, and it's now been confirmed that the heavy metal bench 'VIP presentation ceremony' will take place at 11am on Saturday 9th February at St Luke’s Church on Gas Street. Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward are all expected to attend.
Ozzy Osbourne plays a show at Birmingham Resorts World Arena with special guests Judas Priest later that evening, however there is no word on Westside Birmingham’s official website about his attendance.
Additionally, Bill Ward will receive his own star on Birmingham’s Walk of Stars at the event. Ozzy Osbourne was the first celebrity to receive a star in July 2007 and Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler were honoured in 2008 and 2018 respectively.
The band themselves will also get their own star, and all five stars will be rearranged into the shape of a cross which will be located in front of the heavy metal bench.
Mike Olley, manager of Westside Business Improvement District (BID), enthuses: “We’re so excited to be arranging this spectacular event when we expect Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward to accept the bench, honouring what’s arguably Birmingham’s most famous band.”
He added: “Black Sabbath’s most ardent fans will be keen to witness this historic event and tens of thousands will enjoy visiting the heavy metal bench once it’s in place on Black Sabbath Bridge.”
The bench is the brainchild of Black Sabbath aficionado Mohammed Osama, who says: “I’m thrilled that my plan to pay tribute to Black Sabbath in their home town has finally reached this presentation stage.
“The handmade, stainless steel bench is now being forged in the city and will feature images of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for Black Sabbath fans, citizens and tourists to enjoy.”
Just 350 tickets to the presentation ceremony will be made available to fans. Black Sabbath fans wishing to attend can apply for tickets right here.
Costing £12 each, all proceeds will go directly to the Westside Charitable Endeavour, dedicated to recording the area’s historical attributes.
Select tickets to Ozzy Osbourne's UK tour with Judas Priest are available from Planet Rock Tickets now. They play the following shows:
FEBRUARY 2019
Nottingham Motorpoint Arena – Fri 1st
Manchester Arena – Sun 3rd
Newcastle Metro Radio Arena – Tue 5th
Glasgow The SSE Hydro – Thu 7th
Birmingham Genting Arena – Sat 9th
London The O2 – Mon 11th