Visitors have travelled from across the world to celebrate Birmingham icons, Black Sabbath, at the Home of Metal exhibition, Black Sabbath – 50 Years, which is on display until 29 September at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG).
Over 12,000 visitors, from countries including Czech Republic, Mexico, Japan, Poland, Uruguay and the United States have seen the exhibition so far, which features an array of over 1,000 items celebrating the band and their global fanbase.
The exhibition celebrates Birmingham and the Black Country as the birthplace of heavy metal music and chronicles the band’s beginnings in Aston to their global success.
Eager fans have travelled to the city to see rare objects from the band. Items include Ozzy Osbourne’s iconic glasses and crucifix, part of Bill Ward’s drum kit used in the 1974 Cal Jam, in which Black Sabbath performed in front of 250,000 people, Tony Iommi’s home studio and outfits worn on stage at some of the band’s most legendary shows, including an one worn by Geezer Butler at a concert at Birmingham’s Town Hall.
Liz Johnston travelled from Oregon, United States and said: “This is the second Home of Metal function I have attended in Birmingham, coming over from Oregon. I have been listening to Black Sabbath since the early 70s. It was a great pleasure to see the excellent Black Sabbath exhibit at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. It was wonderful to see people of all ages enjoying it. So nice to see the music that has been the soundtrack of my life getting the recognition it deserves!”
The Wouter Hermanns visited from the Netherlands and said: “Went last week and it was well worth the trip. It’s amazing!”
Andreu Abad really enjoyed his visit from Spain and said: “I went from Barcelona to Birmingham just for the Black Sabbath exhibition. Best decision ever.”
The band’s devoted fans are celebrated throughout the exhibition and visitors can see rare memorabilia and collections from some of the band’s followers, including a customised Black Sabbath motorbike. There is also a display of over 3,000 portraits of Black Sabbath fans from across the world, showcasing the breadth and diversity of the band’s loyal followers.
Visitors are encouraged to add their mark to a world map in the exhibition which illustrates where fans are travelling from. Lucia Ferrero and Marcos Fernandez travelled from Madrid, Spain to see the display and were continuing their trip visiting iconic Black Sabbath locations in homage to the band.
Families have also been taking the opportunity to visit the exhibition during the school summer holiday, sharing their passion for the legendary Birmingham band with younger family members. Children can enjoy rocking out on the electric guitars and there’s also a colouring corner with Black Sabbath themed colouring and puzzles. Family tickets are available.
Outside of the exhibition, families visiting the museum during the holiday can take part in fun heavy metal-themed activities. Strike a pose in the heavy metal photobooth, create a psychedelic sculpture, and let the museum’s resident storyteller entertain you with her dark and twisted tales!
Home of Metal: Black Sabbath – 50 years runs at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery until 29 September. The show is presented in partnership with Birmingham Museums Trust. Tickets are available at www.homeofmetal.com. For information on individual themed museum activities visit www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag/whats-on.
Home of Metal is conceived and produced by Capsule, under the leadership of its founder and artistic director, Lisa Meyer. Find out about the full season of Home of Metal exhibitions at www.homeofmetal.com/events.
