When Birmingham natives Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi played together for the first time since 2017 this past Monday, the music world took notice. We’re talking about two of the most iconic metal legends getting together to close out the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games — which I’m told is a big deal in their hometown.
So much excitement came from that single performance that British MPs on both sides of the aisle are joining forces with Birmingham City Council, Ian Ward, and the deputy leader, Councillor Brigid Jones to push Queen Elizabeth into giving Black Sabbath a “royal honour,” according to ITV.
In their letter to the queen, the group suggest that Black Sabbath has kept in touch with Birmingham, offering to help whenever possible.
“For all their global fame, they have kept strong links with Birmingham, demonstrated by their barnstorming surprise performance at the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games.”
“We therefore seek direct intervention and support from Your Majesty to recognise the great contribution made by these fine and ground-breaking musicians, who were made in Birmingham and have once again not just entertained Birmingham, the United Kingdom and the whole of the Commonwealth but perhaps the world.”
Khalid Mahmood, an MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, says the classic heavy metal titans deserve some recognition from their homeland.
“They are often cited as pioneers of heavy metal music. The band helped define the genre with releases such as Black Sabbath (1970), Paranoid (1970), and Master of Reality (1971).”
Whether anything comes of either the petition or the letter to the queen remains to be seen. Sure, Ozzy looks like he should probably hang it up some day soon, but it’s impressive to see these two elder statesmen of heavy metal still playing after all these years.
Despite his advanced age, Ozzy’s been keeping busy lately. After dealing with sex addiction, a near divorce, and a COVID scare, the “Prince of Darkness” is releasing his 16th solo album Patient Number 9. He’s even got a 25-foot inflatable version of himself touring the U.S. in anticipation of the record’s release.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Patient Number 9:
1. Patient Number 9 (feat. Jeff Beck)
2. Immortal (feat. Mike McCready)
3. Parasite (feat. Zakk Wylde)
4. Mr. Darkness (feat. Zakk Wylde)
5. One of Those Days (feat. Eric Clapton)
6. A Thousand Shades (feat. Jeff Beck)
7. No Escape From Now (feat. Tony Iommi)
8. Nothing Feels Right (feat. Zakk Wylde)
9. Evil Shuffle (feat. Zakk Wylde)
10. Degradation Rules (feat. Tony Iommi)
11. Dead and Gone
12. God Only Knows
13. Darkside Blues
You can catch him live at one of tour dates below.
May 2023
Wed 3 | Finland, Helsinki | Hartwall Arena [tickets]
Fri 5 | Sweden, Stockholm | Friends Arena [tickets]
Sun 7 | Germany, Dortmund | Westfalenhalle [tickets]
Wed 10 | Spain, Madrid | WiZink Center [tickets]
Fri 12 | Italy, Bologna | Unipol Arena [tickets]
Sun 14 | Germany, Munich | Olympiahalle [tickets]
Wed 17 | Hungary, Budapest | Budapest Arena [tickets]
Fri 19 | Czech Republic | Prague | O2 Arena [tickets]
Sun 21 | Switzerland, Zurich | Hallenstadion [tickets]
Wed 24 | Germany, Hamburg | Barclaycard Arena [tickets]
Fri 26 | Germany, Mannheim | SAP Arena [tickets]
Sun 28 | Germany, Berlin | Mercedes-Benz Arena [tickets]
Wed 31 | UK, Nottingham | Motorpoint Arena [tickets]
June 2023
Fri 2 | UK, Newcastle | Utilita Arena [tickets]
Sun 4 | UK, Glasgow | Ovo Hydro [tickets]
Wed 7 | UK, Manchester | AO Arena [tickets]
Sat 10 | Ireland, Dublin | 3 Arena [tickets]
Mon 12 | UK, London | O2 Arena [tickets]
Wed 14 | UK, Birmingham | Resorts World Arena [tickets]