- The UK’s largest music school – Rocksteady – picks Birmingham for its new base, with plans to create 100 jobs in the next three years.
- The new facility at JQ Modern building in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter was officially opened by Jim Simpson, Managing Director of Big Bear Records and first manager of Black Sabbath and Councillor Sharon Thompson, Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands.
Rocksteady – the UK’s biggest and fastest-growing music school – has picked Birmingham for its new base, where it plans to create 100 music education jobs in the next three years. The new facility was officially launched during a special event attended by Jim Simpson, Managing Director of Big Bear Records and first manager of legendary Birmingham-born rock band, Black Sabbath and Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands, Councillor Sharon Thompson.
Rocksteady Music School specialises in providing primary-age children with in-school band lessons, including at 212 schools across the West Midlands. These help them to find a sense of belonging through new friendships and a shared love for music, whilst boosting social skills, wellbeing and self-belief.
Scott Monks, CEO at Rocksteady Music School said:
"We’re big believers in the power of music to change lives for the better. Our new Birmingham base will support our mission to help as many children as possible realise the social and wellbeing benefits of music, while creating skilled and rewarding roles for local musicians and music lovers.
"We're looking forward to supporting the West Midlands’ already thriving creative industry as we expand our team here over the coming years.”
Through the Rocksteady Foundation, the organisation already provides more than £300,000 of free music lessons each year in the West Midlands, giving more than 1,000 disadvantaged children across the region access to music lessons. Rocksteady is also the country’s largest employer of full-time, permanent salaried musicians.
During the dedicated launch event, attendees heard from Jim Simpson about some of the highlights of his long and varied career in the music industry. In addition to bringing Black Sabbath to global recognition, these include founding Big Bear Records, the UK’s longest-running independent record label, serving as Festival Director of Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival since 1985 and editing award-winning bi-monthly jazz magazine, The Jazz Rag. As someone whose involvement in music has spanned decades, Jim has seen firsthand the transformative impact that learning music from a young age can have. Attendees also got a taste of the rockstar experience by creating their own music in a hands-on 'Build a Band' workshop.
Sharon Thompson, Deputy Mayor of the West Midlands said:
“Our region has a world-renowned musical heritage so it’s no surprise that Rocksteady has chosen to continue their growth right here, the birthplace of heavy metal, Two Tone and many other music genres.
“They’re helping us to create a legacy to icons like Ozzy Osbourne by giving young people more opportunities to make music, sing, have fun, and maybe even start their own career in the creative industries. With thousands of new jobs on the way thanks to the West Midlands Growth Plan there’s no better time.”
The West Midlands’ diverse cultural ecosystem and burgeoning creative industry, worth £1.1bn, make it a hotbed for aspirational musicians. The region boasts a rich musical heritage, from the emergence of Coventry’s 2-Tone movement to Birmingham’s reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal, with legendary local band Black Sabbath recently performing their farewell gig to 40,000 dedicated fans at Villa Park.
The West Midlands Growth Company played a key role in supporting Rocksteady’s move to Birmingham. Working closely with the music school’s leadership team, WMGC helped identify the ideal location for its new headquarters, ultimately securing space in the Jewellery Quarter’s JQ Modern building. The process involved exploring multiple cities and local authority areas across the region before narrowing in on Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter – a location perfectly aligned with Rocksteady’s mission and future growth plans.
Rocksteady’s new Birmingham base joins its Hampshire location as one of two national offices. This new hub will play a pivotal role in strengthening Rocksteady’s national network and supporting its mission to remove barriers to music education for as many children as possible.
The launch event took place against the backdrop of the recent passing of legendary Birmingham-born musician Ozzy Osbourne, which prompted thousands of fans to lay flowers and share memories on the Black Sabbath Bridge. Ozzy spoke about how music helped him navigate challenges during his school years, including dyslexia and ADHD – a legacy of music’s transformative power that Rocksteady’s work will continue to carry forward for future generations.
Jim Simpson, Managing Director of Big Bear Records, said:
“What a terrific project. Anything that introduces the joy of playing music to young people has to be welcomed with open arms, and this enterprise really does hit the button.”
Elise Fry, West Midlands Rocksteady band leader, said:
“Teaching music to the amazing children of the West Midlands is an absolute privilege. Each day brings a new opportunity to ignite children’s passion for music - and in return, I’ve been constantly inspired by their determination, spirit and enthusiasm.“The next step of my Rocksteady career will be in the new Birmingham office, working directly with schools to ensure they have an amazing experience. I highly recommend anyone who is passionate about music and changing children’s lives to keep an eye out for local roles – you won’t regret it!”
The launch follows a record-breaking weekend for the West Midlands economy, where Black Sabbath’s Back to the Beginning festival at Villa Park – alongside major sporting events and vibrant food and music festivals – generated up to £20 million for the region’s visitor economy, marking a true highlight of the summer.
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