Black Sabbath’s ‘Heavy Metal’ Bench Is Reinstalled

A new Video containing a Live interview with Black Sabbath star Tony Iommi, has been made to commemorate the re-installation of the band’s ‘Heavy Metal’ bench on Broad Street in Birmingham, England.

The video was commissioned and released by Westside BID to commemorate the re-dedication of the bench, which first appeared in 2018, but had been temporarily removed during the Midland Metro tram extension works.

The mini documentary is presented by Christian Martin [pictured], the former Argentinian rugby player, who is himself a huge Black Sabbath fan, and features rare footage of the band performing in its early days.

During the 20-minute video, Martin sits on the bench – which features steel cut-outs of all four original members of the band – and uses a Live Zoom link to interview Tony Iommi from his home in the Cotswolds.

Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath’s Lead Guitarist, who was born in Aston, talks about his Broad Street links and how apt it is for the bench to be there. He said: ”I used to be on Broad Street all the time as a youngster at the Rum Runner nightclub, so this brings back a lot of memories to me.”

Tony Iommi, who said he still speaks to Lead Singer Ozzy Osbourne by text most days, said he was ”really proud” of the ‘Heavy Metal’ bench. He added: ”We’ve helped put Birmingham on the map. We’re – if you like – the Birmingham Beatles, and it’s good for Birmingham to have these attractions.”

The video also features an interview with Cllr Waseem Zaffar, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for Transport and Environment, who originally allowed the bench to be placed on Broad Street.

Mike Olley, the general manager of Westside BID, cuts a huge black ribbon to re-dedicate the bench, using left-handed scissors specially made for the event by William Whiteley & Sons of Sheffield. The scissors – engraved with Tony Iommi’s name as he is well-known as a Left-Hander – were then presented to Martin to thank him for presenting the video.

Mike Olley said ”The original unveiling of Black Sabbath’s ‘Heavy Metal’ bench was a huge event back in 2018 and we wanted to celebrate its return now the Metro works have moved along. We’re grateful to Christian Martin for helping us make this video and we hope Sabbath fans in Birmingham and across the World enjoy it.”

The Video was produced by Jim Simpson, the original manager of Black Sabbath, and all archive film and pictures used in it are his copyright, which he has waived.

The Video was filmed by Greg Gdowski and Margaret Maslanka of 57 Studio, directed by Mike Olley and technical facilities were provided by Al Dawkins of Cannock Sound.

Here’s the link to watch the 20 minute video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wTskipKTEU&feature=youtu.be

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