Birmingham considering giving city awards to Black Sabbath and Benjamin Zephaniah

nme.com:

Black Sabbath and Benjamin Zephaniah.According to the BBC, on Tuesday January 28 the council is due to discuss a proposal to award City Freeman status to the four founding members of the heavy metal band, and give a posthumous medal to the dub poet and musician.

The City Freeman title recognises a person’s contribution to a city.Black Sabbath was formed in the Aston area of Birmingham in 1968, meanwhile, Zephaniah was born in the Handsworth area.Black Sabbath was founded in Birmingham by singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Terence “Geezer” Butler and drummer Bill Ward. “Birmingham has a fantastic musical culture and Black Sabbath are a major part of that history, a pioneering band that still influences today’s musicians,” said Deputy Leader of the city council Cllr Sharon Thompson – according to Forbes.“They have become synonymous with the city and have been true ambassadors throughout their phenomenal careers.The members of the metal band have responded to the news of potentially being given an official city honour. “I’m honored and, at the same time, shocked that I would have ever been considered for this very special commendation,” vocalist Ozzy Osbourne states.“I’m a proud Brummie from Aston through and through.

I’m still amazed to this day that no one outside of Birmingham can understand a word I say, but that’s always made me laugh.

I started with nothing but a dream, which I shared with Tony, Geezer and Bill. We never gave up on that dream. My only regret is that my Mom and Dad are not here to see what I became.