Black Sabbath's Iommi honoured by Lord Mayor

Black Sabbath guitarist and celebrated Brummie, Tony Iommi, has been given an award by Birmingham's Lord Mayor for his work as a world-renowned musician, writer, and producer.

The annual honours go to people or groups for their outstanding achievement or service to Birmingham.

Iommi said he was amazed at still receiving praise and acclaim despite the band's heyday spanning the 60s and 70s. "I can't believe it. It's gone on and on and got bigger and bigger," he told BBC News.

Iommi attended a ceremony at the city's council house on Tuesday. Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner was also a recipient of the Lord Mayor's Awards from mayor Zafar Iqbal.

The council said Iommi was widely recognised as a creator of heavy metal and the award recognised "the genre's continued impact on the cultural landscape of Birmingham, enriching millions of people's lives and enhancing Birmingham's national and international reputation".

Black Sabbath were given the freedom of the city of Birmingham in a ceremony in the city last June just days before their Back to the Beginning farewell gig at Villa Park thrilled music fans from around the world in July.

Frontman Ozzy Osbourne died 17 days later at the age of 76.

Iommi said it had all been "unbelievable" to see the huge number of fans coming to see them and sit on the bench on the renamed Black Sabbath Bridge over the canal on Broad Street.

"I saw Michael Buble on it - it's brilliant."

He said he was working on an album which will be launched in Birmingham at a later date and planned to auction off another guitar to help fund refurbishment work at a cancer ward at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

The council said its award to Wagner recognised his leadership and contributions to Birmingham's sporting landscape through football, netball and cricket.

The planned development of Birmingham City's new stadium and the wider Sports Quarter in the east of the city as well as enhancing the city's transport infrastructure, further strengthened Birmingham's national and international profile, the authority said.

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