Black Sabbath
Biography
Black Sabbath, an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968, are widely regarded as the pioneers of heavy metal. The original lineup consisted of guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. Initially formed as a blues rock band named Earth, they soon adopted the name Black Sabbath, inspired by a horror film of the same name, and began to cultivate a darker image with horror-inspired lyrics and down-tuned guitars.
The Classic Era (1970-1978)
The band's first two albums, Black Sabbath and Paranoid, were both released in 1970 and were commercially successful, marking a significant shift in the rock music landscape. These albums, along with 1971's Master of Reality, are now considered seminal works in the development of heavy metal. The band's sound was characterized by Iommi's powerful and ominous guitar riffs, a result of an industrial accident in which he lost the tips of two of his fingers, forcing him to use lighter strings and tune his guitar down. Butler was the primary lyricist, drawing on themes of war, social chaos, the supernatural, and the conflict between good and evil. Songs like "Paranoid," "Iron Man," and "War Pigs" became anthems of the genre. During this period, the band released a string of successful albums including Vol. 4 (1972), Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973), and Sabotage (1975).
Lineup Changes and the Dio Era
In 1979, Ozzy Osbourne was fired from the band due to his excessive substance abuse and was replaced by former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio. This new lineup released the critically and commercially successful album Heaven and Hell in 1980, which revitalized the band's career. The Dio-fronted era continued with Mob Rules (1981). However, this lineup was short-lived, with Dio and drummer Vinny Appice (who had replaced Bill Ward) leaving in 1982.
Later Years, Reunions, and "The End"
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Black Sabbath continued with Tony Iommi as the only constant member, featuring a revolving door of musicians that included vocalists Ian Gillan (of Deep Purple) and Tony Martin. The original lineup reunited on several occasions, most notably for a live album, Reunion, in 1998, which earned them their first Grammy Award for the track "Iron Man." In 2013, the band (with Brad Wilk on drums) released the album 13, which was the first studio album in 35 years to feature Osbourne, Iommi, and Butler. The album was a commercial success and earned the band another Grammy for the single "God Is Dead?". The band embarked on a farewell tour, "The End Tour," which concluded in their hometown of Birmingham in February 2017. In a surprise announcement, the original lineup is set to reunite for one final concert on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham.