So Black Sabbath have taken their final bow and the curtain has come down on the career of the most influential metal band of them all. The Back To The Beginning farewell show at Villa Park on July 5 was the perfect send-off – an all-star celebration that lived up to Tom Morello ’s promise of it being “the greatest day in heavy metal history”.

After Metallica’s performance, Osbourne, 76, came out on stage and performed a five-song set by himself, before he was joined by his former bandmates Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler for four of the group’s songs.

Black Sabbath original members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward were presented with the Freedom of Birmingham award by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham in recognition of their global impact as pioneers of heavy metal music.

Birmingham remains a hotbed of musical activity in the 21st Century. Formed by members of Birmingham bands Table Scraps and Mutes/God Damn, Margarita Witch Cult are entirely unashamed about the fact they're inspired by Sabbath and the worlds of stoner and doom.

These three bands highlight how Birmingham, England, changed rock music with legends like Black Sabbath, Duran Duran, and ELO.

Calls to reopen the pub known as the ‘birthplace’ of Black Sabbath have intensified once more following the band’s momentous farewell show. Thousands of rock fans from across the world descended on Birmingham last weekend to say goodbye to Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath as they took to the stage at Villa Park.