From pioneering heavy metal to sparking a ska revival, from global chart-toppers to underground innovators, this part of the UK has produced artists and movements that shaped music as we know it. With this summer’s Super Weekend set to celebrate that legacy - from Black Sabbath’s legendary reunion to Godiva Festival’s celebration of Coventry’s sounds - there’s never been a better time to look back at how it all started right here. Let’s dive in.
 


The birthplace of heavy metal: Birmingham’s loudest legacy

If you’ve ever headbanged, worn leather in the summer, or felt soothed by a guitar riff that sounds like a jet engine, you can thank Birmingham.

Black Sabbath, formed in Aston in 1968, are widely regarded as the founders of heavy metal. Influenced by blues but shaped by the harsh industrial surroundings of post-war Birmingham, Sabbath’s music was darker, heavier, and more unrelenting than anything else at the time. Songs like Paranoid, War Pigs, and Iron Man weren’t just hits - they were blueprints for a new genre.

Birmingham’s metal lineage didn’t stop there. Enter Judas Priest, formed in West Bromwich. They refined the sound, amped up the speed, and brought the now-iconic leather-and-studs aesthetic to the scene. Together, these bands didn’t just contribute to heavy metal - they defined it.

Experience a Summer of Sabbath in Birmingham - a citywide celebration of Black Sabbath’s legendary reunion at Villa Park. Discover special events, exhibitions, and live performances honouring the godfathers of heavy metal.
 


Coventry’s 2-Tone movement: Unity through music


In the late 1970s, while punk was burning out and disco dominated the charts, Coventry sparked a different kind of movement - one rooted in multiculturalism, unity, and high-energy dance music.

2-Tone, a blend of Jamaican ska, punk, and new wave, emerged from the city’s diverse communities. Led by bands like The Specials, The Selecter, and The Beat, the genre wasn’t just about sound, it was a cultural statement. It spoke out against racism, celebrated working-class life, and made political protest danceable.

The label behind the movement, 2 Tone Records, was co-founded by The Specials’ Jerry Dammers. Its black-and-white checkerboard imagery and sharp suits became instantly recognisable - not just a fashion statement, but a symbol of solidarity.

Discover the roots of the movement at the Coventry Music Museum in the 2-Tone Village, and don’t miss the party at the legendary Godiva Festival from 4-6 July.
 


ELO: Orchestral rock that went intergalactic

Where do you go after The Beatles? In Birmingham, the answer was: add strings, synths, and a spaceship.

Formed in the early '70s, Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) took rock music and wrapped it in sweeping orchestration and sci-fi flair. Spearheaded by Jeff Lynne, the band blended pop hooks with classical influences in a way that felt futuristic then - and still does today. Tracks like Mr. Blue Sky and Telephone Line are still staples in film, TV, and festival playlists around the world.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO brings ‘The Over and Out Tour' home to Birmingham for two unforgettable nights at Utilita Arena on 5 and 6 July 2025. As part of their final UK tour, the legendary band returns to where it all began, offering fans a last chance to experience their signature symphonic rock sound live in the city that started it all.
 


UB40 and the sound of global Birmingham

Few bands embody Birmingham’s cultural richness like UB40. Formed in 1978 by a multi-racial lineup from the inner city, UB40 took reggae and made it mainstream - but never lost sight of its political roots.

Their name came from the unemployment benefit form, and their early lyrics tackled working-class struggles with honesty and optimism. With chart-topping covers like Red Red Wine and Can’t Help Falling in Love, they brought a reggae-pop sound to millions, all grounded in a distinctly Brummie identity.
 


Duran Duran: The New Romantic dream born in Brum

Formed in Birmingham in 1978, Duran Duran emerged from the city’s Rum Runner nightclub to become global pop icons. Blending slick synths, funky basslines, and a sharp New Romantic image, they helped define the sound of the 1980s. With hits like Rio, Hungry Like the Wolf and Girls on Film, and a pioneering use of music videos, they didn’t just ride the MTV wave - they were the wave. 

Stylish, ambitious, and unmistakably Brummie, they showed the world that pop could be smart, cinematic, and stadium-sized.
 


Led Zeppelin: From the Black Country to the world stage

While not solely based in the region, Led Zeppelin has deep West Midlands roots. Robert Plant was born in West Bromwich, and legendary drummer John Bonham came from Redditch. Their influence is hard to overstate - from blues-rock beginnings to sprawling, genre-defying epics, Zeppelin reshaped what rock music could be.

Their legacy lives on through countless musicians, and their hometowns are now pilgrimage sites for rock fans worldwide.
 


The roll call continues…

The West Midlands’ musical contribution doesn’t stop at metal and ska. Here’s just a snapshot of the genre-spanning talent that’s come out of the region:
 

  • Ocean Colour Scene – 90s Britpop favourites, known for their soulful, retro sound.
     
  • Beverley Knight – The “Queen of UK Soul,” born and raised in Wolverhampton.
     
  • Jorja Smith – Walsall-born R&B star with Mercury Prize nominations and a voice that’s travelled the world.
     
  • Laura Mvula – Classically trained, genre-defying singer-songwriter from Birmingham.
     
  • Apache Indian – One of the first UK artists to blend reggae and bhangra with mainstream success.
     


The legacy lives on

Today, the West Midlands continues to nurture new talent, with independent venues, community radio stations, and grassroots festivals keeping the region’s musical future just as exciting as its past. Events like Godiva Festival and Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul showcase both legends and local up-and-comers, while the Black Sabbath Bench on Birmingham’s Broad Street has become a destination in its own right.

And now, with Black Sabbath’s reunion making headlines and Coventry’s musical heritage once again in the spotlight, we’re not just reminiscing - we’re reigniting the region’s influence on the global stage.

Because whether it’s a riff, a rhythm, or a revolution, in the West Midlands, it starts here.

 

 

Black Sabbath Header image courtesy of Jim Simpson, Big Bear Music