Calls to preserve Black Sabbath pub grow louder

Black Sabbath, as Earth, played upstairs at The Crown in Birmingham

Calls to preserve the Birmingham pub where Black Sabbath played its first gig as a heritage site are louder than ever.

The city saw 40,000 rock fans pour in to experience to watch Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward play their final performance amid a mammoth metal weekend.

As music-lovers crowded to see The Crown pub on Station Street, culture journalist Kirsty Bosley asked why the historic road, and its buildings, had not become a heritage site yet.

The pub was built in 1881 and shut in 2014 after it was bought by a Japanese development company.

"All of what Ozzy started, that power we saw on stage, has managed to seep wider. We need to harness the energy and not let it go," she said.

Black Sabbath, which used to be known as Earth, played their first gig at Henry's Blueshouse, which was located upstairs in the pub.

"The Crown pub, not only for heavy metal, but for rock and roll in Birmingham is a heritage site," Ms Bosley said.

Speaking on whether the pub would financially be viable and whether heavy metal tourism would be popular in the city, she said there was enough memorabilia ready to fill a museum.

Black Sabbath, which formed in Birmingham in 1968, rocked out Villa Park on Saturday, joined by acts including Metallica, Guns N' Roses and Slayer - with guest appearances from the likes of Ronnie Wood, Steven Tyler and Jack Black.

Save Station Street campaigners said The Crown should be the site of "[un]holy pilgrimage".

"Yet most of it is closed down. Boarded up. Under threat. The Crown especially should be the site of (un)holy pilgrimage for every Sabbath Fan, Metal Head, Ska Revivalist, Punk and Folkie globally - showcasing the best Brum music, beer, food and creativity. "

Arts company Birmingham Open Media (BOM) had plans to restore the pub, with the backing of Birmingham City Council - but it fell apart last year after the council retracted its offer of a loan.