Black Sabbath’s Early Recording Equipment to Be Displayed at Exhibition

The first recording equipment used by Black Sabbath, including part of a mixing desk and two Revox tape machines, has been rediscovered after over 30 years. The items will be on display at an exhibition in Birmingham to coincide with the band’s final show at Villa Park in July. The exhibition, organized by music professional John Mostyn, will reflect the birth of heavy metal in the city. The equipment, on loan from Johnny Haynes, the owner of Zella Studios in Birmingham, was used when the band – then named Earth – recorded their first music in 1968. Zella Studios, located behind a repair room of Ladbrooke Pianos, was where Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward came together to make early demos. After relocating to London, Black Sabbath returned to Zella to record more tracks, which ultimately led to them signing their first record deal. The exhibition will run on July 4 and 6, 2023, offering fans a rare opportunity to see these iconic items before they are permanently displayed in a museum. The event also features Johnny Haynes, the legendary studio owner who made an impact on Birmingham’s music scene.