Surprise gift for artist as Black Sabbath visit Birmingham mural

Rock band Black Sabbath made a surprise visit to their newly created Birmingham mural to give the artist an unexpected gift.

The original line-up – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – once again made their mark on the city as they signed the artwork on Navigation Street on Saturday.

Mr Murals, the man behind the piece, said Osbourne immediately recognised him and he was gifted two tickets to the band’s last performance at Villa Park in July.

“Every single one of them took the time to speak to me and were so kind,” the artist added. “It’s mental, I’m still not over it.”

Thousands of heavy metal fans are expected to head to Villa Park on Saturday 5 July as the band hosts its Back To The Beginning concert.

The gig features dozens of musicians from the industry, who will take to the stage throughout the day. However, the most exciting part is set to be when the original Black Sabbath reunite to perform together for the first time in 20 years.

Saturday will mark the final time Osbourne plays alongside his bandmates, nearly six decades after the band formed in 1968, with the original four all growing up within a few streets of each other and a stone’s throw from the Aston stadium.

Ozzy is not the only member of the Osbourne family to visit the 40m (130ft) street art, his wife Sharon previously surprised the artist during a trip to the city.

Mr Murals added that the band’s visit had left him “on cloud nine” and said he needed to continue painting as the work was yet to be finished.

“It’s just mad; it’s going to take a while to sink in,” he said.