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Birmingham’s The Crown, where Sabbath played their first-ever show, secures Grade II listing
“The Crown has huge significance to us and many other successful acts…” says Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi of the Birmingham pub’s newly-announced Grade II status.
- Words:
- Emily Carter
- Black Sabbath photo:
- Michael Ochs
- The Crown photo:
- Elliott Brown
Birmingham’s Crown Inn – a genuinely significant venue for British heavy metal – has just secured a Grade II listing, following the advice from Historic England.
Despite being vacant these days, the pub was the site of Black Sabbath’s (known as Earth at the time) first-ever show, not to mention it’s also hosted the likes of Judas Priest, Status Quo and The Who throughout the years.
“Cities all over the UK are protecting their musical heritage, Birmingham shouldn’t be left behind,” says legendary Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi. “The Crown has huge significance to us and many other successful acts. It was one of very few venues that supported the emerging rock scene with a blues club and was home to our first-ever gig.”
“The Crown is a one-of-a-kind building with history written in its walls,” agrees Louise Brennan, Historic England Regional Director (Midlands). “It’s a Birmingham cultural landmark that, fittingly is almost within sight of Ozzy The Bull in New Street Station, and I’m really pleased that it’s being recognised with Grade II Listed status. Heavy metal is a gift Birmingham gave to the world and The Crown is an integral part of that story.”
Meanwhile, music historian and founder of the Birmingham Music Archive, Jez Collins, now calls on The Crown to reopen following its 2014 closure.
“The Crown holds a special place internationally for the music industry,” Jez explains. “It is the venue that Black Sabbath, then called Earth, first played the songs that would appear on their classic first two albums. In fact, the stage Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill first stood on is still there! This is a venue that deserves its place on Historic England’s listings.
“But we need more. We need to ensure The Crown re-opens, we need to bring it back to life as a cultural venue, a music venue and a place people will want to visit. This brilliant news is just the beginning in the renaissance of The Crown!”
Read this: The 20 greatest Black Sabbath songs – ranked
