‘Birthplace of heavy metal’ the Crown in Birmingham secures listed status

Pub where Black Sabbath played their first gig gains Grade II status after thousands sign petition

A “one-of-a-kind” historic pub where Black Sabbath played their first gig has secured listed status, in a small victory for campaigners trying to save a famous Birmingham street from redevelopment.

The Crown, known as “the birthplace of heavy metal”, was one of the buildings at risk on Station Street, also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Electric, which closed last week.