The official naming of the "Black Sabbath Bridge" in honor of Birmingham's legendary heavy metal rockers took place earlier today (Wednesday, June 26) in the heart of the city's entertainment district. Two BLACK SABBATH founding members attended the extraordinary event at the road bridge, which crosses the canal on Broad Street. Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler cruised on to the scene aboard a narrowboat to unveil the new bridge signage from the canal below the bridge, with hundreds of BLACK SABBATH fans flocking to the city to watch. Check out photos at Birmingham Mail. Westside Business Improvement District (BID) has worked closely with the Canal & River Trust charity and Birmingham City Council to have the bridge renamed as "Black Sabbath Bridge." As well as the new bridge name, a uniquely designed "heavy metal bench" incorporating images of the band's original four members is permanently based on the bridge, and this is expected to become a major new tourist attraction for the city. Westside BID originally unveiled the bench to fans at a private ceremony at St Luke's Gas Street Church in February, which means today's bridge-naming event was also its public launch. Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, said: "We're grateful to the Canal & River Trust and Birmingham City Council for helping us to realize our ambition to pay this special tribute to BLACK SABBATH." Ani Sutton, community engagement manager at the Canal & River Trust, said: "We're thrilled to be involved and look forward to seeing hundreds of people enjoying this event on the canal in Birmingham — which is also celebrating its 250th birthday this year. "The bench looks fabulous and by working closely with Westside BID we have created a new location on a renamed bridge that not only can Brummies be proud of, but which will also draw tens of thousands of tourists to the city and the canal in the years to come." Iommi said: "The bridge name and commemorative bench are both terrific and we're thrilled that everyone can now enjoy what has become a special location for BLACK SABBATH history." Coun Waseem Zaffar, the cabinet member for Transport and the Environment at Birmingham City Council, said: "We are delighted to name this new bridge in honour of BLACK SABBATH, one of the greatest bands to come from Birmingham." The unveiling coincides with a major Home Of Metal exhibition celebrating BLACK SABBATH and the band's legacy, which runs until September 29 at the Birmingham Museum And Art Gallery.
Fantastic occasion, Birmingham made us very proud! -- Tony
Posted by Tony Iommi on Wednesday, June 26, 2019
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Fantastic occasion, Birmingham made us very proud! -- Tony
Posted by Tony Iommi on Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Continue reading...
