Birmingham City council makes a proposal to honour Black Sabbath

City council insists talks with band about tourism-boosting plans are continuing. Plans for an official celebration of the music of Brummie heavy metal legends Black Sabbath are still on the agenda according to the city council.

Council deputy leader Ian Ward says that talks with the band are continuing, 20 months after an proposal for a Black Sabbath day was first agreed.

The day was part of a package of measures to cash in on Birmingham’s rock and pop heritage and attract music tourism outlined in a council strategy called Destination Birmingham – A Music City.

It followed the highly successful Birmingham Home of Metal exhibition in 2011 and a realisation that cities like Liverpool and Manchester make far more of their music heritage than Birmingham. But in a report to today’s economy, jobs and skills committee it is revealed that many of the proposals, including Black Sabbath celebrations, have yet to be acted on.

Coun Ward (Lab, Shard End) said: “Initial inquiries into celebrating the reunion of Black Sabbath in the summer of 2012 could not be brought to fruition but discussion is on-going with representatives of the band members to explore possible future opportunities for recognising the significance of the band, and of heavy metal music, to Birmingham.”

Other proposals to have stalled include attracting a major music award show to the city, rejected because it would cost more than the benefit to the local economy. And there is still no permanent place for the Home of Metal exhibition or any other exhibition of Birmingham’s music heritage, although talks are continuing with the NEC Group over a location.

In his report Coun Ward added that the Creative City Partnership, which includes many involved in the music and arts sector have come forward with some suggestions around ‘music, music tourism and the economic impact of music events’. He added that the Library Of Birmingham is also involved in projects to store and archive historic music material.

Neil Elkes for Birmingham Post, 9 October 2013

Photo by Vertigo Records