MPs have written an open letter to the Queen, urging the monarch to recognise Black Sabbath’s “great contribution” to music.
This letter was shared via Twitter by Birmingham Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood. It was also signed by six other British MPs, along with the Leader and deputy leader of Birmingham City Council.
This letter comes after Sabbath rockers Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi stormed the stage at Birmingham during the Commonwealth Games last week.
The pair had reunited on stage for a live renditon of the track ‘Paranoid’.
Tony Iommi had also performed at the Games’ open ceremony. His performance also earned praise from Queen’s Brian May. He also called his performance “monumental”.
Duran Duran also performed at the ceremony. Check this out here.
“humbly requesting”
Following this, Khalid Mahmood shared a copy of the letter via his Twitter account. He wrote that he was “humbly requesting” that the Queen recognises Black Sabbath and their contribution to music.
Check out the tweet in full below.
I am humbly requesting Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II @RoyalFamily to bestow and honour to @BlackSabbath for their services to music. There will be a public release on 12th August 2022 at 1pm at Black Sabbath Bench, Broad St,@BBCNews @itvnews @midlands_bbc @ClassicRockMag pic.twitter.com/Mixrxxw1Vr
— Khalid Mahmood (@khalid4PB) August 11, 2022
“humbly ask you to bestow an honour to Black Sabbath”
The letter which was shared, urges the Queen to “bestow an honour”.
“Please forgive the direct nature of this letter. We, the undersigned humble subjects, humbly ask you to bestow an honour on the Black Sabbath rock group. Who were formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne”, the letter read.
The letter also added that Black Sabbath are “often cited as pioneers of heavy metal music”.
Mahmood also paid homage to the band’s self titled debut album, ‘Master of Reality’ and ‘Paranoid’. He said that they have “helped define the genre”.
Khalid Mahmood also added, “Following the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games, which took place in my Birmingham Perry Barr constituency. I have been inundated with requests that Black Sabbath be recognised for its services to music and to the City of Birmingham”.
“I appreciate this request is not within the normal procedures of seeking Royal honours, however, we feel that this extraordinary occasion deserves extraordinary recognition of this extraordinary group of musicians. The band’s services to music seem to have been overlooked by the usual process”.
“We therefore seek direct intervention and support from Your Majesty to recognise the great contribution made by these fine and ground-breaking musicians. Who were made in Birmingham and who have once again not just entertained Birmingham, the United Kingdom and the whole of the Commonwealth, but perhaps the world”.
On top of this, a petition was also launched to raise support for this motion. You can also check that out here.
