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Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath is a British heavy metal band that formed in Birmingham in 1968. The original lineup consisted of Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, and Bill Ward on drums. They are often credited with creating the heavy metal genre and are one of the most influential bands in the history of rock music.

The band's self-titled debut album, released in 1970, is widely regarded as one of the most important albums in the history of heavy metal. It features classic tracks such as "Black Sabbath," "N.I.B.," and "The Wizard," which established the band's dark and heavy sound. The album was a commercial success and reached the top ten in the UK.

Black Sabbath went on to release a string of classic albums throughout the 1970s, including "Paranoid," "Master of Reality," and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath." Their music often dealt with themes of darkness, the occult, and the supernatural, and their live shows were known for their theatricality and use of special effects.

The band experienced numerous lineup changes over the years, with Ozzy Osbourne leaving the band in 1979 and being replaced by Ronnie James Dio. Other members departed and returned, with only Tony Iommi remaining constant throughout the band's history.

Black Sabbath has sold over 70 million records worldwide and has influenced countless other bands in the heavy metal genre. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.


Black Sabbath I (1968 - 1979)
  • Ozzy Osbourne - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geezer Butler - bass
  • Bill Ward - drums
Albums:
  • Black Sabbath (1970)
  • Paranoid (1970)
  • Master of Reality (1971)
  • Vol. 4 (1972)
  • Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)
  • Sabotage (1975)
  • Technical Ecstasy (1976)
  • Never Say Die! (1978)

Black Sabbath II (1979 - 1982)
  • Ronnie James Dio - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geezer Butler - bass
  • Bill Ward - drums
Albums:
  • Heaven and Hell (1980)
  • Mob Rules (1981)

Black Sabbath III (1982 - 1984)
  • Ian Gillan - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geezer Butler - bass
  • Bill Ward - drums
Album:
  • Born Again (1983)

Black Sabbath IV (1984 - 1987)
  • Glenn Hughes - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geoff Nichols - keyboards
  • Dave Spitz - bass
  • Eric Singer - drums

Ray Gillen replaces injured Glenn Hughes on vocals for the tour.

Album:
  • Seventh Star (1986)

Black Sabbath V (1987 - 1989)
  • Tony Martin - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geoff Nichols - keyboards
  • Dave Spitz - bass
  • Terry Chimes - drums
Album:
  • The Eternal Idol (1987)

Black Sabbath VI (1989 - 1990)
  • Tony Martin - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geoff Nichols - keyboards
  • Laurence Cottle - bass
  • Cozy Powell - drums
Album:
  • Headless Cross (1989)

Neil Murray joins as touring bassist.


Black Sabbath VII (1990 - 1990)
  • Tony Martin - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geoff Nichols - keyboards
  • Neil Murray - bass
  • Cozy Powell - drums
Album:
  • Tyr (1990)

Black Sabbath VIII (1990 - 1992)
  • Ronnie James Dio - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geoff Nichols - keyboards
  • Geezer Butler - bass
  • Vinny Appice - drums
Album:
  • Dehumanizer (1992)

Black Sabbath IX (1992 - 1997)
  • Tony Martin - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geoff Nichols - keyboards
  • Geezer Butler - bass
  • Bobby Rondinelli - drums

Rondinelli quits the band and Bill Ward rejoins for the tour. After the tour, Butler quits again as does Ward. Iommi brings back Neil Murray and Cozy Powell on bass and drums.

Albums:
  • Cross Purposes (1994)
  • Forbidden (1995)
  • The Sabbath Stones (1996 compilation)

Black Sabbath X (reunion) (1997 - 2006)
  • Ozzy Osbourne - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geezer Butler - bass
  • Bill Ward - drums

Heaven & Hell (2006 - 2010)
  • Ronny James Dio - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geezer Butler - bass
  • Vinny Appice - drums
Albums:
  • The Dio Years (2007 compilation of remastered songs from Dio era Black Sabbath albums including new material)
  • The Rules of Hell (2008 box set of remastered Dio era Black Sabbath albums)
  • The Devil You Know (2009)

Ronnie James Dio died on May 16, 2010 from stomach cancer.


Black Sabbath XI (2nd reunion) (2010 - 2014)
  • Ozzy Osbourne - vocals
  • Tony Iommi - guitar
  • Geezer Butler - bass
  • Bill Ward - drums

Ward leaves the band in 2012, and is replaced by Tommy Clufetos for live shows. Brad Wilk of Rage Against The Machine is recruited in 2013 to play drums on the album.

Album:
  • 13 (2013)



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Last Revised: April 23, 2023
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