IT’S 11.30am on a sweltering Saturday in Birmingham, one of the hottest days of the year. The city’s Victoria Square is thronged with sun-seekers sporting summer shorts and t-shirts – and I’m wearing a suit. A dark blue business suit. Oh, and did I mention that it’s hot?

I’m making my way to the historic Council House, a splendid edifice that dates back to 1874, the year when the first stone was laid by mayor Joseph Chamberlain. It’s a building that has welcomed the great and the good over the centuries.

And I have a date with history.

I’m here to see four working class kids from Birmingham awarded the Freedom of the City, a prestigious honour only granted to fifty individuals before, including Prime Ministers Winston Churchill, Clement Attlee, David Lloyd George and Neville Chamberlain.

The names of the latest recipients: John Michael Osbourne, Anthony Frank Iommi Junior, Terence Michael Joseph Butler and William Thomas Ward. We know them better, of course, as Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill, the original line-up of heavy metal founders Black Sabbath.

A week before their much anticipated reunion at Villa Park, the Brummies-made-good are finally receiving the honour that was approved by the vote of an extraordinary meeting of the city council back in January. It is official recognition that has been long overdue.

Inside the Council House’s ornate banqueting suite, friends and family of the band are mingling over glasses of iced water and fruit juice. Tea and coffee are available but forgotten as everyone tries to, quite literally, be cool. There’s not a drop of alcohol in the house. It is a very civilised civic affair.

I chat with sometime Sabbath drummer and ELO star Bev Bevan, who has arrived with his good friend Jasper Carrott. Bev is looking forward to seeing Sabbath’s Back To The Beginning show next Saturday; Jasper plans a quieter day at home, ideally in the shade.

City MPs Jess Phillips and Shabana Mahmood (of whom more later) are among the guests. Media figures Gary Newbon, Tom Ross and Ed James are here. Legendary nightclub boss Albert Chapman, once one of Black Sabbath’s minders, is in the house too.

And, of course, all the Sabbath stars – currently in the Lord Mayor’s parlour, where they’re snapped by Kelly Osbourne – have brought along their families. There are brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren galore. Later, they’ll all gather for a family photo that will need a wide-angle lens just to fit them all in.

As the clock ticks down to midday, the official starting point of proceedings, Kelly Osbourne is chasing son Sidney, who’s playing an adorable game of hide-and-seek behind the chairs set out for the members of the band and civic dignatories.

Sharon Osbourne is keeping an eye on everything, making sure that it all goes to plan, liaising with the Council House staff, the official photographer and camera crew. Soon enough, a liveried official brings us all to order to welcome the heroes of the hour.

Bill, Tony, Geezer and Ozzy arrive through a side door to take their seats, alongside the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE JP, who proceeds to give a speech of welcome to the band and guests, who also include a number of council officials.

“It is a pleasure to pronounce Terence ‘Geezer’ Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward as Freemen of the City of Birmingham,” he says. “The Freedom of the City is one of the oldest civic honours and given in recognition of exceptional service to Birmingham.

“Conferring these honours on Black Sabbath’s founding members, who are proud Brummies, is a fitting tribute to the band, marking their importance to Birmingham’s cultural landscape and the pride of our city as their hometown.”

The band initially seem a little self-conscious as they listen to their praises being sung, strange given that they have played to capacity crowds at some of the world’s biggest venues. But then this is back home, where it all began, with those closest to them in the room.

Shabana Mahmood, the Government’s Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, admits that she is feeling starstruck as she steps up to outline the cultural and civic importance of the occasion, ending with an exhortation to the band: “Rock on, Sabbath!” All that’s missing is a devil’s horns salute.

Next up is Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader of the Council, who nods to Ozzy’s wife and manager, jokingly adding that you can never have too many Sharons to organise a big occasion. It’s a nice touch ahead of her more official outline of the honour being offered.

Picture: Darren Quinton/Touchstone Visuals

“From the streets of Aston to global success, this ceremony is a fitting celebration of Black Sabbath’s achievements and connection to our city, showcasing the band’s incredible career as pioneers of heavy metal and recognising their continued legacy as part of Birmingham’s rich musical identity,” she says.

“Black Sabbath are global ambassadors of our city, and their music continues to inspire musicians across the world, so it has been wonderful to recognise the band with this honour.”

Now, the Lord Mayor takes centre-stage again, to present impressive Freedom of the City Scrolls to the four Brummies at the heart of the celebration.

Each bears the words: “It was resolved that, in deep appreciation and recognition of their unique and distinguished contribution to the field of music and their service to the city, the City Council confers upon the members of Black Sabbath the Freedom of the City of Birmingham.”

The official speeches are rounded off by Professor David Mba, Vice Chancellor of Birmingham City Museum, who offers background on the Freedom of the City medals which have been designed by Toby Williams, a student studying at the university’s School of Jewellery.

There’s a request for the band to respond to the honour and, initially, they look at each other, seemingly lost for words, and waiting to see who’ll be brave enough to take the lead. In the end it’s Tony Iommi, who’s no stranger to such occasions.

“It’s a great thing to receive,” he says. “Birmingham is our home, and we love what Birmingham has done for us. We’ve got the bridge and the bench, things like that. We’re very grateful.”

Geezer Butler takes up the baton: “This is a great working class city, and we’re all working class, from Aston. We weren’t given a chance when we started out, but Birmingham has always been behind us.

“People used to make fun of our accents, but we’re all proud Birmingham people and we love this city. It’s one of the greatest cities ever, it’s given the world so much and we’re proud to be here.”

Next is Bill Ward, with an acknowledgement straight from the heart: “It’s completely overwhelming. I’m so proud to be an Astonian. That’s where I got my attitude. I was blessed – and cursed! – to meet Tony when I was 15, and I’m so proud that I got to know Geezer and Ozzy.

“They’re my brothers. I love them very much, and we love our city very much.”

The last word goes, of course, to Ozzy who has remained seated throughout the event such is the toll taken by his Parkinson’s Disease and spinal injuries. “I first put an advert in a music store in town,” he recalls. “If these guys hadn’t come to my door, I wouldn’t be sitting here now.

“It seems to have flown by so quickly. It’s amazing. I think about my dad, who went into debt to buy me a microphone. If only he could be here now. I think he would be very proud. I’m a Brummie and I always will be a Brummie. Birmingham Forever!”

It’s the same rallying cry he yelled at the closing ceremony of Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games back in 2022. And how better to end another historic occasion?

In the corridor outside, the marble panels listing all the Freemen of the City now include four new names.

In the short-term there’s encouraging news, too.

I’m told that Sabbath’s reunion rehearsals have been going well, with Ozzy, who has brought his vocal coach over with him, in fine voice. Intimate sessions have honed a clutch of classics as the band have got to know each other again.

Full show production rehearsals have begun at a secret location, and the Villa Park revolving stage is being built. There’s much speculation about an as yet unannounced special guest, who’ll be a big surprise for the fans. It’s really happening.

Roll on Saturday!

Read more: Don’t miss my Black Sabbath:Homecoming special edition