My Town: Geezer Butler’s Birmingham, England

Black Sabbath bassist and founding member Geezer Butler, 73, has written a memoir, Into the Void: From Birth to Black Sabbath — And Beyond.

In his new memoir, Butler writes about Black Sabbath's early days, the band's long career and his later projects.

Dey Street Books

The book chronicles the band’s journey from a blues quartet in Birmingham, England, to a genre-defining heavy metal group that has sold more than 70 million records and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. Butler maintains a countryside house in his hometown of Birmingham, and he shares some of his favorite places to dine, shop and explore.

Catch a “football” game at …

Villa Park. I've followed the Aston Villa Football Club since I was born because I was born in Aston. Aston Villa is less than a mile away from my house, so obviously I supported them. [Favorite player of the moment is] probably John McGinn. It’s one of the first football grounds in the world. [Aston Villa Football Club] started in 1874, and the team used to be the top team in the world that won more championships than any other team … and then it sort of went into a bit of a decline. Tom Hanks is a supporter as well, and Prince William.

Butler received the Walk of Stars award from the Lord Mayor of Birmingham at Villa Park in 2017.

Courtesy Geezer Butler

Take a stroll …

Anywhere in [nearby] Warwickshire [county]. There’s the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. It goes from Birmingham up to Stratford-upon-Avon where Shakespeare was born. You can walk along the canal, and there’s lots of nice little pubs and places to stay and eat and stuff. It’s gorgeous. It gets to about 70 to 80 [degrees] if it’s a good summer. Winters are fairly mild; you don't get much snow in the winter.

This Stratford-upon-Avon canal flows from Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon where Shakespeare was born.

Andrew Testa

Grab a pint at …

The Boot Inn. It’s been [in nearby Lapworth] since [the 1780s] and it’s still all original, so you have to duck your head to get in there. People were smaller in those days, so all the old wooden beams and all that kind of thing — totally unstyled. And it’s right next to the canal, so you can sit outside and have a pint by the canal. They serve good food there as well. I’ve been a vegan since 1980, so I love the vegan stuff there.

Diners can grab a pint or some vegetarian fare at the historic Boot Inn.

Andrew Testa

Make a reservation at …

There’s a really good Indian restaurant called Ruchie that does South Indian curry stuff, and they do some really great vegan Indian meals.

Ruchie offers an extensive menu of authentic South India specialities.

Andrew Testa