Black Sabbath’s Geezer Butler receives Walk of Stars award at his beloved Aston Villa
Geezer Butler has been immortalised on the Broad Street Walk of Stars in Birmingham.
The Black Sabbath bassist received his award during half time of Aston Villa's match against Burton Albion at Villa Park on Saturday (3rd February).
Geezer was presented with the honour from Lord Mayor of Birmingham Anne Underwood and his Black Sabbath band mate Tony Iommi also joined them for a photo.
Shortly afterwards, Geezer shared a photo of the presentation on Twitter, writing: "Lord Mayor of #Birmingham presenting me with my Walk of Stars plaque @AVFCOfficial. Great day! Thank you so much to all involved!”
> Lord Mayor of #Birmingham presenting me with my Walk of Stars plaque @AVFCOfficial. Great day! Thank you so much to all involved! pic.twitter.com/23eZv1iVIV > > — Geezer Butler (@GZRMusic) February 3, 2018
Tony Iommi added yesterday: “I was so pleased to see my dear friend Geezer Butler last night and to finally see him joining myself and Ozzy on Broad St Walk Of Stars in Birmingham. He received his award on the pitch of his favourite football team Aston Villa. Congratulations Geez!”
> I was so pleased to see my dear friend Geezer Butler last night and to finally see him joining myself and Ozzy on Broad St Walk Of Stars in Birmingham. He received his award on the pitch of his favourite football team Aston Villa. Congratulations Geez! Tony.@GZRMusic pic.twitter.com/WBDpEsnvpE > > — Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) February 4, 2018
Making the day even sweeter for Geezer, Aston Villa beat Burton 3-2 and they’re now just one point off an automatic promotion slot.
Speaking to the Birmingham Mail last week, Geezer said he was nervous about receiving the honour. “Usually, you are there with the whole band,” he said. “But this is just for me – and that’s different.
“I’m not used to it so the presentation has been on and off for years. I’ve had to take some anxiety pills this week.
“I was quite outgoing as a kid, but the older I get the more introverted I seem to have become. I never thought I would get the courage to say I would come and be able to do it but, in the end, I got fed up of refusing it and plucked up the courage to say ‘Yes!’."
Honouring notable people from the Birmingham area, The Broad Street Walk of Stars is a walk of fame-style installation on the pedestrian pavement of Broad Street.
Ozzy Osbourne was the first Black Sabbath member to receive the prestigious honour in July 2007 and Tony Iommi followed in November 2008. Other rock stars immortalised on the pavement include Noddy Holder, Roy Wood and Jeff Lynne.
Bill Ward is the only co-founding member of Black Sabbath yet to receive a star.