So it was surreal to stand on a football pitch with 45,000 strong to witness the end of this grand, institutional group who has touched me personally, professionally, and at times even intimately in stolen moments of work and camaraderie.

Black Sabbath went out with a bang on Saturday night at what the band said would be its final gig. As they played one of their most-recognisable songs, Iron Man, fans sang along with lead singer Ozzy Osbourne at Villa Park in Birmingham.