Welcome to our deep dive into the Black Sabbath Bench, the celebrated heavy metal bench permanently installed on the Black Sabbath Bridge in Birmingham. More than a piece of public art, this landmark honors the pioneering band Black Sabbath—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—and has become an iconic pilgrimage site for fans worldwide. In this blog post, you’ll discover its history, design details, fan interactions, and why it matters for SEO-savvy heavy metal enthusiasts.
1. What Is the Black Sabbath Bench?
The Black Sabbath Bench is a custom fabricated stainless steel bench featuring stylized silhouettes and faces of the original band members. It sits on the canal bridge along Broad Street in Birmingham’s Westside district, now known as the Black Sabbath Bridge. This heavy metal bench is etched with the names “Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward” and the inscription “Made in Birmingham 1968”. Since its unveiling in June 2019, it has become one of Birmingham’s top engagement art installations, loved by heavy metal fans and tourists alike.
2. The Origins: From Petition to Public Art
The bench concept originated from Mohammed Osama, a super-fan of Black Sabbath, who launched an online petition to honor the band on Broad Street’s Walk of Stars. This evolved into a collaboration with Westside BID and artist Tarek Abdelkawi to design the bench.
The bench was unveiled at St. Luke’s Church in Gas Street in early 2019 and later moved to its permanent home under the renamed Black Sabbath Bridge during a public ceremony on 26 June 2019. The ceremony featured performances, a narrowboat cruise carrying Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler, and thousands of cheering fans.
3. Design & Fabrication
Crafted by Gateway Steel Fabrications, the bench was fabricated in Birmingham and incorporates cut-out metal portraits designed by Tarek Abdelkawi. The gold crosses and final engraving detailing were created by Norse Forge Jewelry, and the overall installation coordinated by Westside BID and local metalwork expert Midtherm.
Originally installed in 2019, by 2024 the bench had endured heavy wear—selfies, weather and traffic had faded its details. A comprehensive restoration funded by UK Shared Prosperity Fund included replacing the band members’ heads with new prototypes and adding the year “1968” to the inscription.
4. Fan Interaction & Cultural Significance
A Heavy Metal Tourist Magnet
Today, fans of all ages and around the world visit the Black Sabbath bench to take selfies and pay tribute to the metal pioneers. The site even features a live-camera selfie station installed by Westside BID so visitors can download photos later. Geezer Butler himself shared images of his grandchildren seated on the bench, calling it “#new generation of Butlers” and demonstrating how beloved the artwork has become.
Maintenance & Public Art Care
In early 2023 and again in 2024, artist Adam Marshall was commissioned to refresh the bench, restoring fine details and repainting the metalwork to preserve its aesthetic charm. He shared that “it’s not just a case of touching it up with paint”—it involved careful sanding, masking and re-engraving.
5. Recent Events: Ozzy Osbourne Tribute & Fan Pilgrimage
Ozzy Osbourne’s Passing & Memorial at the Bench
In July 2025, following Ozzy Osbourne’s death at age 76, fans turned the bench into a makeshift memorial. The public tribute included bouquets, handwritten messages, and symbolic gestures—some even poured tequila as homage. It underscored how the bench had become a living shrine to his memory.
Thousands attended a funeral procession—followed by a brass band—down Broad Street, stopping at the Black Sabbath Bridge and bench. The Osbourne family participated in the procession, with Sharon, Kelly, Aimee, Jack and others sharing a heartfelt farewell at the site. Ozzy had also previously been awarded the Freedom of the City of Birmingham—a testament to how deeply his roots ran in his hometown.
6. Why the Black Sabbath Bench Matters
A Symbol of Birmingham’s Musical Legacy
Black Sabbath is often credited with pioneering heavy metal music—a genre born out of Birmingham’s gritty industrial backdrop in 1968. The bench and bridge memorialize that legacy and visibly connect the city’s music heritage with its geography.
Tourist Appeal and Cultural Branding
Despite modest TripAdvisor reviews, the bench draws global visitors—from New York to New Delhi—making it one of Birmingham’s most recognized landmarks for metal fans.
Public Engagement & Artistic Innovation
As a piece of public art, the heavy metal bench has succeeded as interactive, inclusive design. Fans not only view it—they sit on it, pose with it, and commemorate at it. This blurs the line between monument and social experience.
8. Visitor Tips & Nearby Attractions
Where to Find It
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The bench sits on Broad Street, over the canal near Gas Street Basin, part of Birmingham’s “golden mile”.
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Nearest stations: Five Ways, New Street Station, or Brindleyplace tram stop.
Best Time to Visit
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Mornings and early afternoons offer lighter crowds.
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Photo-ready periods: early light for better selfies or at special events like the Home of Metal exhibition.
Other Nearby Metal Hotspots
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Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which launched the Home of Metal exhibit in 2019, celebrating the band’s impact.
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The Crown Pub, the original venue where Black Sabbath first performed, now a fan pilgrimage site.
9. Conclusion: The Bench That Brought Birmingham into Focus
The Black Sabbath Bench is more than just a seat—it’s a beacon of metal history, communal tribute and hometown pride. From its artistic design and fabrication in Birmingham, to being restored with care and witnessing fans’ heartfelt tributes after Ozzy’s passing, it represents how art can unite music, memory, and city identity.
Whether you’re a die-hard Black Sabbath fan or a travel writer seeking unique landmarks, this heavy metal bench is a compelling blend of local culture, design, and enduring tribute. Let the legend of Black Sabbath guide you to Broad Street next time you’re in Birmingham—and be sure to sit, smile, and remember.