Black Sabbath: Homecoming special edition on sale now

Heavy metal legends Black Sabbath will play their final farewell gig at hometown Birmingham's Villa Park on July 5, where the original line-up will play together for the first time in more than 20 years, supported by a stellar cast of rock and roll A-listers. You can buy your special edition HERE
With new interviews and rare pictures, Black Sabbath: The Homecoming follows Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward from their very first pub gig to the forthcoming stadium supershow dubbed the greatest heavy metal show ever.
In this special edition, members of the band speak of their hopes and fears, the battle to overcome health issues, and much more, alongside tributes from big names on the Villa Park bill, an essential album guide, reviews of past homecomings, and even Sabbath tourism tips.
Read about the movie that gave the band its name, the surprise reunion that wasn't supposed to happen, and the role fickle fate has played in the band's success – and learn about the charities who will benefit from the Back To The Beginning show.
Crucially, this is Black Sabbath past, present and future – because although Villa Park may be the band's swansong, there's exciting news of more to come from the four Brummies who invented heavy metal. They think it's all over. Well, it isn't yet …
Click HERE to buy online and have it delivered directly to your door, or you can purchase it in participating supermarkets, high street retailers, and independent newsagents from June 25, 2025. Online postage and packaging costs apply.

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BBC News

20 hours ago

• BBC News

Birmingham's shrines to Black Sabbath and where to find them

More than 40,000 Black Sabbath fans will be making their way to Birmingham in July for what is being described as "the greatest heavy metal show ever", marking the last ever performance of the band. The gig will be the first time that the original line-up - Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward - have played together in 20 years. The day of metal will also see performances from Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Halestorm, Anthrax and of people without tickets to the Villa Park event are expected to be in the city to soak up the are some of the sights and sounds visitors can enjoy. Ozzy the very heavy metal bull Fans entering Birmingham via New Street Station will get an indication of the city's links to the musical legend in the form of what started life as a huge piece of metal. The giant mechanical bull, which was the much-loved centrepiece to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, was officially named Ozzy and endorsed by the frontman himself. The 10m (33ft) high beast on the Grand Central concourse is a draw for selfies, and was unveiled in its home by Ozzy's wife Sharon in was originally made of aluminium but rebuilt using fire-retardant plastic and foam to ensure longevity in his prominent home. A real treat is when Ozzy also moves his head and swishes his tail every hour, from 08:15 to 19:15. Bostin' Black Sabbath murals A few metres away from the station, Navigation Street is home to the latest piece of street art dedicated to the Prince of by artist Mr Murals, the 40m (130ft) work depicts Ozzy and the band throughout the past seven decades. While creating the artwork, he was even caught off guard when he received a surprise visit from Sharon Osbourne during a trip to the city. Another mural, dating further back, can be found in the Digbeth area of the city. Head for the short stay car park at the city's coach station on Rea Street to take in this view. Visit the birthplace of heavy metal The next unmissable spot on the Black Sabbath tour is The Crown pub on Hill was here in1968 that the band, then named Earth, played their first gig. Visitors are unable to enter the building, which the owners say they plan to restore, but images of the band have been displayed on the pub's exterior. "I don't think there's any doubt that Birmingham can lay claim to being the birthplace of heavy metal," said Jez Collins, founder of the Birmingham Music artists to play at the venue have included Robert Plant, John Bonham, Judas Priest and Thin Lizzie, he said."It has an incredible story and heritage to tell."Free exhibitions will also be on show at the city's Museum and Art Gallery as well as Victoria Square. Fans can also visit Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens where a microphone and recording equipment used to make Sabbath's first studio recordings will be on show. Trace the musical history From The Crown you can trace the rise of Black Sabbath by walking past other venues they played, including "one of the great buildings of Birmingham", the Town Hall, added Mr Collins. "They'd have played at the Odeon, which is now just a cinema, and ended up at the Town Hall, which is two minutes from The Crown," he explained. "So you can plot their journey from a very, very small, intimate gig with 120 people into a bigger hall of a thousand, into a bigger hall where Led Zeppelin and Bob Dylan played." Pilgrimage to the bench Carrying on to Broad Street you'll find another picture opportunity at the Black Sabbath bridge and bench."The really cool thing about the bridge for me is that most of the bands that you love and have played in Birmingham in recent years have made a special pilgrimage to it," said Birmingham journalist and metal fan Kirsty Bosley. Pantera, who are playing the Villa Park show dubbed "Back To The Beginning", are among artists to have posted images recently of themselves at the landmark. "It's a lovely photo opportunity and you'll be able to see all the tagged photos that other bands and artists, which is really cool," she added. Take the Ozzy tram In 2016 the frontman graced his home city to name a Midland Metro tram Ozzy, with thousands turning out to welcome the star. It is still running in the city, but West Midlands Metro said it was unable to give an exact timetable of where it was running during the weekend, but advised fans to look out on its social media channels for information nearer the time. Get up the Villa With or without a ticket, taking a trip to Aston itself would be valuable for fans wanting to soak up the football club's shop would be among those helping "dress the city" in Sabbath colours for the weekend. During a walk around the area fans could also visit the schools band members Ozzy was a pupil Prince Albert Junior School while Geezer went to Holte Grammar, Mr Collins said."And if you want to have a bit to eat you can stop at the Barton Arms which is opposite what was called Newtown Leisure Centre," he added. "That's where they rehearsed the first two albums, Black Sabbath and Paranoid, but they would leave their rehearsals and go into the Barton Arms, and sit and have a pint." See 'amazing little music venues' Ms Bosley urged visitors not to forget "amazing little venues" across the city that have supported the heavy metal scene and will be putting on events. The Flapper on Cambrian Wharf and Scruffy Murphy's on Dale End are among those worth a visit."Spend a bit of time there, spend a bit of money there and get a real feel for the very thing that connects us, which is in this case heavy metal," she added. Sabbath's original manager, Jim Simpson, has also programmed performances dubbed the Visit of Oz across the city in pubs, bars and even a canal boat. "The eyes of the whole world are going to be upon us," added Ms Boswell, "and it's going to be really special".She said the city's heavy metal community normally "operates in dark spaces" but the weekend was an opportunity to "come into the light and be championed". "The vibe is just going to be impeccable, I know it."

ITV News

a day ago

• ITV News

Artist to the stars: How one of Wales' finest painters is finally being honoured

With its contrast of light and darkness and its brooding religious theme, "The Devil's Daughter" could have been painted by Caravaggio. When the painting went on display at the Royal Academy in 1917 it caused a sensation and created worldwide headlines. In later years, it is claimed, it hung in the recording studio of rock band Black Sabbath. Now it is owned by a collector from Pontypridd. But the Welsh artist who painted it was scarcely remembered in her home land, until now. On Saturday (21 June), a headstone will be unveiled at the final resting place of Margaret Lindsay Williams - a spot which was previously marked by a simple plaque. Dr Jonathan Hicks, the historian who led the headstone campaign, said it is about time the artist was recognised. "It won't be a sad day, unlike most occasions that take place in cemeteries', he said. 'This is about a celebration of her life.' 'It's about recognising the talent she had. The impact she made nationally, not least on Welsh art.' Margaret Lindsay Williams was born in 1888 in Cardiff but her family soon moved to Barry, where they lived on Windsor Road. She studied at the Cardiff School of Art and later at London's Royal Academy, becoming the youngest student - and the first Welsh artist - to win the prestigious gold medal. An important early work was 'The Welsh National Service at Westminster Abbey'. It took Williams three years to paint and now hangs in Cardiff Crown Court. But some of Williams' early work was more introspective. 'The Devil's Daughter' was followed by two similar canvases: 'The Triumph' and 'The Imprisoned Soul". All depict themes of spiritual conflict and the tension between vice and virtue. Paul Buckland bought 'The Devil's Daughter' from a gallery in the US. 'Not being a religious person at all, I just like the idea of somebody saying 'no, I'm going to go and have fun. I'm not going to go to church', he said. 'But it's also what it represents - a strong feminist painting by a Welsh painter.' From the mid 1920s, Williams concentrated on portraits, becoming one of high society's most sought after artists. She painted King George V, Queen Mary, and - on five separate occasions - Queen Elizabeth II. She was also commissioned to produce childhood portraits of the current King - Charles III - and his sister, Princess Anne. Williams said this process inspired a love of art in the four-year-old Charles - he turned up to one sitting wearing overalls and with a set of brushes. The young Prince even presented her with his own paintings. Williams described them as being 'very modern school,' although she had to ask Charles what the pictures were of - 'a forest' and 'a house' apparently. Alongside her royal work, Williams was also asked to paint other famous faces of her day. Her subjects included Prime Minister David Lloyd George and Ivor Novello, the Welsh composer. She also crossed the Atlantic to paint automobile tycoon Henry Ford and even Warren Harding, the US President. It is reported that Harding sat for her on 18 separate occasions, although the sessions were often interrupted by state business. Williams later said the President had asked her if she had ever been in love, to which she replied: 'Oh, Mr President, I am wedded to my art.' In fact, Margaret never married. She died in 1960 at her home in St John's Wood, London. She was buried in Barry's Merthyr Dyfan cemetery but until now, there has been no permanent marker of her final resting place. 'I thought it really didn't seem fair that this woman was lying in an unmarked plot in Barry cemetery', said Dr Hicks. 'I went away and mused on it for a while and spent some time researching her life, found it to be absolutely fascinating, and then decided that I would launch a fundraising appeal.' The appeal raised more than £2,000 and saw a headstone created by CJ Ball memorial masons of Barry. It will be unveiled at a special ceremony on Saturday - in the week marking Williams' birthday. Barry's mayor will be among those present, together with six members of the artist's family, who have travelled over from Canada. It is a fitting tribute to one of Barry 's greatest daughters. A painter of monarchs and presidents who never forgot her roots.

BBC News

2 days ago

• BBC News

Guns N' Roses at Villa Park: What fans need to know

The legendary Guns N' Roses kick off Birmingham's summer of rock and metal on Monday night with an open-air gig at Villa Park. The Los Angeles band are stopping in the city on their latest tour Because What You Want and What You Get Are Two Completely Different Things. Axl Rose and bandmates Slash, Duff McKagan, Dizzy Reed, Melissa Reese, Richard Fortus and Isaac Carpenter last played in the UK in 2023 when they headlined show comes less than two weeks before the highly-anticipated last ever gig by Black Sabbath at Villa Park on 5 July. For guitarist Slash - real name Saul Hudson - the night will mark a return to the what is surely one of Stoke-on-Trent's best facts, the musician was raised in Blurton until the age of band began their latest tour last month in South Korea and will perform at venues across Europe and Latin America. From the set list to travel, here are some of things fans coming to Birmingham need to know. Will there be extra transport? Aston is used to thousands of people descending on its small railway station most weeks, so transport chiefs are usually ahead of the game in terms of planning. Transport for West Midlands has confirmed additional rail services will run to and from Witton railway station - nearest the stadium - with the final train departing to Rugeley Trent Valley at 23:32 services will also run to and from Aston, with the last train leaving at 23:52 towards Birmingham city centre. Trams between Birmingham and Wolverhampton will operate as normal, however, Witton Lane and Trinity Road will be closed from 13:00. Aston Villa are also offering a shuttle bus from Dudley Street, Birmingham, to Villa Park between15:30 and 19:30, with return journeys running from 22:00 until guidance is available on the Transport for West Midlands website. How early should fans arrive? The most avid fans who have purchased a VIP or Gold Circle ticket will be able to enter the stadium from 16:00 BST before the main gates open 30 minutes later. No doubt hardcore supporters will have started congregating around the stadium long before then. The support act will get under way at 17:30 BST with the headliners expected to take to the stage any time from 18:45 BST, according to Aston Villa's website. They are expected to rock out with the crowd until 22:15 BST. What is the setlist? An official setlist for the tour has not been released, however, according to Ticketmaster, the Czech Republic gig on Sunday saw the show open with Welcome to the fans with an Appetite for Destruction can expect to hear some of their most well-known tracks including Mr Brownstone, Sweet Child O' Mine and Paradise City. Who is the support act? Fellow American rockers, Rival Sons, will open the group from California are playing a total of 10 nights during the European part of the Roses' tour, including their second and final date at Wembley Stadium on Thursday. Public Enemy will join the band across Europe from 29 June until 21 July, before Sex Pistols make two appearances on 24 July in Vienna and 28 July in Luxembourg. Is it a sell-out? There is still a chance to join in with the action depending on what fans are willing to die-hard supporters have paid more than £1,300 to secure a spot in the stadium's Gold Circle, while the majority of rockers will enjoy the action for a less eye-watering fee of about £70 with some tickets still available. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.