Historic status awarded to Birmingham pub dubbed 'birthplace of heavy metal' where Black Sabbath made their debut

Black Sabbath with an inset of The Crown pub in Birmingham, UK.

A pub dubbed "the birthplace of heavy metal" and where Black Sabbath played their first ever gig has been given special historical status and saved from the apparent threat of demolition.

The Crown pub in Birmingham was where Black Sabbath, then called Earth, played their first show in 1968. It also hosted performances by many other influential acts, including Led Zeppelin.