Black Sabbath
BLACK SABBATH have been around in one form or another really since about 1968.
They are the inventors of Heavy Metal - the dark princes of rock. They created their own image that was a major influence on thousands of other bands following their steps. Initially they were a blues band. After getting Jim Simpson for their manager, they became influenced by Jazz and Blues of his record collection. After listening to Jimmy Rushing and others, they took the idea of repeating riffs and mixed it with drugs, occultism, and horror themes. This new rock was so hard, heavy, and unique that it left contemporary rock in the dust. BLACK SABBATH's long career did include several line up variations and lots of changes. When we look at it, the "Big Bang" was not only a miracle, but a succession of incredible miracles. I'm not referring to the beginning of the universe, but the beginning of the greatest rock band ever to grace this planet. Black Sabbath. So miraculous is it that they ever formed in the first place, that you get the sinking feeling that it could never happen again. At a time when the whole youth movement was besotted with flower power and loving one's fellow man, four of the most unlikely, ungainly looking working class boys somehow erupted and tore apart the entire Rock genre with the most far reaching new style ever seen in England. They came from a city scorned and rebuked by the rest of the UK. They came from a manor called Aston, which was devastated by unemployment. They came from social rejection. When Ozzy answered an advert placed by Geezer for a singer and a member of the Butler household answered the door, shouting to Terence that "something" was at the door, you realize just how bad the rejection was. When they drove around in a van with no floor and were refused entry into clubs and pubs around the area, you know how bad the rejection was. Maybe this was their making ? Maybe the adversity from which they had to rise up, was what turned them into such icons of the masses. As Geezer tries to point out in his solo track "No.5", the very things that formed their character have now gone. The incredible warmth and togetherness of the people of Birmingham in those days was the bond that helped four otherwise jobless statistics conquer the world. The lesson they still offer today to the young who might want to make it in the rock world is that you don't need instant success to be big. Fight the system and be yourselves. Weave your OWN magic. Corporate interference in the music scene has all but killed off diversity and cultural input into Rock and pushed headlong into "Cash-back commercialism" that demands instant sing-along, throw away "tunes". Black Sabbath, on the other hand, practiced in a run-down building opposite an old cinema, their first "payment" for playing a gig was a T-shirt each. Wherever they went and however big they became, they remained forever "Brummies"; Birmingham born, Birmingham hearts and enriched with Birmingham humor. And now where are they ? They are the very heart and soul of nearly every young would-be Rock hero. They are the four Gods of human imagination: ladies and Gentlemen, let me introduce them: The "Runecaster "-John Michael Osbourne. He entices your soul in many different ways, casting a menacing rune to the unaware. He is the Court Jester, but beware. This jester has power you dared not take lightly. The "Sorcerer" - Frank Anthony Iommi. He has the power to hypnotise your spirit and he often does. Be drawn in and enjoy the journey, but be prepared for anything along the road. He can sometimes stir you with sounds that would make stone weep, but he can also grab you and throw your terrified mind in the air with the most awesome, brooding cries you will ever hear from a guitar. The "Conjurer" - Terence Michael Butler. He looms dark over the thoughts in your mind. He transcribes those things that can change your eternity. He bludgeons your mind with heavy rhythms and the words of the damned and yet, he can create poetry from within that makes the sun shine on through the darkest of nights. The "TimeLord" - William Ward. He owns time, he toys with time and weaves time to his own majestic tune. He casts spells within spells and the harder you listen, the more majesty you find in his creation. I give you Black Sabbath. The greatest Rock band we will probably ever see.
Michael Hughes
Birmingham, England
1999
THE MANY FACES OF BLACK SABBATH
(January 1969 - September 1977)
Ozzy Osbourne (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Bill Ward (drums)
The band changed their name after realizing that there is another
band also called Earth. BLACK SABBATH was an old horror movie with
Boris Karloff and also one of the first songs they had written.
From the period 1975 onward BLACK SABBATH employed a keyboardist.
For example Rick Wakeman (YES) played keyboards on
"SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH", It is possible that Gerald Woodruffe was
the keyboardist in 1975. 1976 to 1977 Gerald Woodruffe definitely
played keyboard for BLACK SABBATH on 'TECHNICAL ECSTASY' and the
following tour. In this time, BLACK SABBATH had released the following
seven studio albums and a greatist hits double LP:
BLACK SABBATH Released: February 13, 1970 - A Friday, no less
PARNOID Released: September 18, 1970
MASTER OF REALITY Released: July, 1971
VOL. 4 Released: September, 1972
SABBATH, BLOODY SABBATH Released: September, 1972
SABOTAGE Released: July, 1975
WE SOLD OUR SOUL FOR ROCK N ROLL 1976
TECHNICAL ECSTASY Released: November, 1976
(October 1977 - January 1978)
Dave Walker (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Bill Ward (drums)
Ozzy Osbourne left the band due to alcohol problems, the death of his
father and the divorce from his first wife. He was replaced by
Dave Walker, former member of Fleetwood Mac and Savoy Brown.
This Line Up only appeard one time in BBC Midlands TV back in january 1978.
(January 1978 - May 1979)
Ozzy Osbourne (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Bill Ward (drums)
Dave Walker was replaced because Ozzy Osbourne wanted to return and
also the band wasn't satisfied with Dave Walker. Don Airey joined
BLACK SABBATH for the "NEVER SAY DIE" album and tour.
BLACK SABBATH release "NEVER SAY DIE" on 00/00/1978.
(May 1979 - August 1980)
Ronnie James Dio (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
GeezerButler (bass)
Bill Ward (drums)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Ozzy Osbourne left again in 1979. There exist various stories about
his departure from BLACK SABBATH. An idea of what happened can be put
together from a Bill Ward interview in the Ozzy video "DON'T BLAME ME"
and an interview with Ronnie James Dio from Michael Stark.
The Dio interview: "And I came upon Tony in the Rainbow, the infamous
Rainbow club here in Hollywood. The place was closing, Tony said "You want
to come up and meet uh meet Geezer and Bill?" I said "Yeah, sure if you
want me to". So I went up and I met Geez and Bill and Ozzy wasn't there.
And they had a rehearsal studio in the uh made it in the garage, the
place that they were renting north of Beverly Hills some place and they said
"D'ya fancy coming having a look and stuff?" "Yeah sure". So we went out
and uh Tony said "Yeah I'm just working on this little piece. Tell me what
you think". So he played me parts of Children Of The Sea. So I said "Well
hold on a minute. and I had some ideas for it, I put things together. And
we did that and we wrote that song at that particular moment. And so Tony said
"That's it. That's it. I'm out of this band. I want to do something with him."
Geezer "Me too." Bill said "Well whatever you want Ton." And uh that's how it
came about."
From the Ozzy video, Bill Ward admits that he was the one who told Ozzy
and how he felt very dishonest about it. It has been suggested in various
places that perhaps Ozzy really had a desire to leave SABBATH because he could
have acted very different had he been certain he wanted to stay.
He was replaced by former Elf and Rainbow singer Ronnie James Dio.
The band also decided to have a fifth man permanently in the band for
keyboards. Geoff Nicholls (ex-Quartz) was discovered by Tony Iommi who
produced Quartz's first album.
A confusing story about that time is that Geezer Butler left the band
for a short time before the recordings for 'HEAVEN AND HELL'
but returned shortly. They first thought Geoff Nicholls should replace
Geezer Butler but when Geezer returned Nicholls decides to stay and play
keyboards for BLACK SABBATH (Metal Hammer 24/89 [Dec 11-29, part of
their Metal Decade special, section April 1980]).
Dio is definitely an American. He was born in Cortland, NY, which is an hour or so north of NYC. .
Black Sabbath LIVE AT LAST released.
Ozzy releases BLIZZARD OF OZZ.
(August 1980 - November 1982)
Ronnie James Dio (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Vinny Appice (drums)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Bill Ward left BLACK SABBATH during the HEAVEN AND HELL-Tour due to
his drug and alcohol problems. He was replaced by ex-Axxis, Derringer
drummer and brother of Carmine Appice, Vinny Appice who was picked
from tape auditions by Tony Iommi. Vinny's first gig took place in Hawaii
on August 31st. Less than month before that Bill Ward had left a day
before the Hawaii gig, so they had to postpone it and the rest of the tour.
Ozzy releases DIARY OF A MADMAN and SPEAK OF THE DEVIL.
(January 1983 - January 1984)
Ian Gillan (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Bill Ward (drums)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice split from BLACK SABBATH. There are
many rumours about that time. Ronnie James Dio was blamed to go at
night in the studio because he wanted to mix his voice more in the
foreground. Ronnie James Dio mentioned that Geezer Butler was only
able to decide between a sandwich or a new beer in a restaurant and
nothing else more. At the end it looks really like Tony Iommi and
Ronnie James Dio both had problems with their attitude about how
important they were. The new man on vocals was Ian Gillan, the
legendary singer of Deep Purple. Bill Ward rejoined BLACK SABBATH.
Black Sabbath release LIVE EVIL.
Dio releases HOLY DIVER.
Ozzy releases BARK AT THE MOON.
(January 1983 - March 1984)
Ian Gillan (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Bev Bevan (drums)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Bill Ward has to leave again because he wasn't able to stop drinking.
He is replaced by Bev Bevan, ex-Electric Light Orchestra drummer.
(somewhere in 1984)
Dave Donato (vocals)Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Bill Ward (drums)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
After having problems with his voice Ian Gillan left BLACK SABBATH
and reformed Deep Purple. Ian Gillan had just claimed that he can't
sing because of throat problems he was experiencing.. and after he
split the band he confessed that he did the SABBATH thing just for
money. The new one on vocals is Dave Donato. This lineup lasted long
enough to have a promotional band picture poster made up.
Due to his awful KERRANG!- Interview he was fired, having been quoted
as saying something along these lines:"I thought about who would be the
best singer that BLACK SABBATH could have and turned out it was me".
(Not an exact quote)
After that Geezer Butler left the band, having
enough of all the Line Up changes. BLACK SABBATH split. Bev Bevan
returned to Electric Light Orchestra.
Dio releases THE LAST IN LINE.
(13th July 1985)
Ozzy Osbourne (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Bill Ward (drums)
The first BLACK SABBATH gig for the Live Aid festival in years.
The band played such classics as "PARANOID", "Iron Man" and "Children
Of The Grave". After that concert first rumours of a great Mark I
re-union came up. But Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi were still solo.
(September 1985 - March 1986)
Glenn Hughes (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Dave Spitz (bass)
Eric Singer (drums)
Tony Iommi started recording his first solo album. After having various
problems with the record company it was released under the name "Black
SABBATH feat. Tony Iommi". On vocals was ex-Deep Purple/Trapeze bassist
and vocalist Glenn Hughes. On drums was Eric Singer, better known as
ex-Badlands and ex-Kiss drummer. Guest on the record is Gordon Copley
who plays bass on the song "No Stranger To Love".
Dio releases SACRED HEART.
(March 1986 - October 1986)
Line Up: Ray Gillen (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Dave Spitz (bass)
Eric Singer (drums)
During the US tour Glenn Hughes had to leave BLACK SABBATH. Again there
are various rumours including drug problems, problems with his voice
and personally problems between Tony Iommi and Glenn Hughes. Glenn
Hughes is replaced by Ray Gillen who is suggested by Dave Spitz. Ray
Gillen is the ex-singer of the club band Rondinelli.
Ozzy releases THE ULTIMATE SIN [1986].
(October 1986 - August 1987)
Ray Gillen (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Bob Daisley (bass)
Eric Singer (drums)
Bassist Dave Spitz quits during the pre-production for the new album.
The new bassist is ex-Ozzy Osbourne/Uriah Heep/Rainbow session man Bob Daisley.
Ray Gillen goes on to form Badlands in 1989 with Jake E. Lee(ex-Ozzy axeman),
Eric Singer(same as above) and Greg Chaison on bass.
(August 1987 - January 1988)
Tony Martin (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Bob Daisley (bass)
Eric Singer (drums)
Ray Gillen quits BLACK SABBATH in mid production of The ETERNAL IDOL and
is replaced by ex-Alliance/Orion singer Tony "The Cat" Martin.
There still exist some recordings for "THE ETERNAL IDOL" with Ray Gillen
on vocals. Bev Bevan also did some percussion on "THE ETERNAL IDOL".
Ray Gillen's laugh was left on the "Nightmare" track.
(February 1988 - March 1988)
Tony Martin (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Jo Burt (bass)
Terry Chimes (drums)
That Line Up was put together for the UK part of the ETERNAL IDOL-Tour!
(October 1988 - May 1989)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Tony Martin (vocals)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Cozy Powell (drums)
Laurence Cottle (bass)
After the several changes and with a new record company, I.R.S., BLACK SABBATH
made their comeback. On drums was legendary Cozy Powell, known from
Whitesnake, Gary Moore Band and Rainbow. New bassist is Laurence Cottle.
Guest on the recording is Brian May (Queen) for the song "WHEN DEATH CALLS".
BLACK SABBATH is being played on the radio again with the release of
THE HEADLESS CROSS.
Ozzy releases NO REST FOR THE WICKED.
BADLANDS (Ex-Sabbaths Ray Gillen and Eric Singer) release thier self titled album.
(June 1989 - October 1990)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Tony Martin (vocals)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Cozy Powell (drums)
Neil Murray (bass)
Studio bassist Laurence Cottle had been replaced by former Vow Vow/
Whitesnake/Gary Moore bassist Neil Murray.
Bill Ward releases ONE ALONG THE WAY [month] 1990.
(April 1991 - October 1992)
Ronnie James Dio (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Vinny Appice (drums)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
BLACK SABBATH is on hiatus at this time, so Tony Martin starts his solo effort.
The great Re-Union Mark 4 ends BLACK SABBATH #14 temporarily.
Ronnie James Dio puts his own band DIO on ice and returns together with
Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice to make the heaviest album BLACK SABBATH ever did.
All are promising to keep their egotism out of the band.
Badlands releases VOODOO HIGHWAY. [1991]
Ozzy Osbourne releases NO MORE TEARS [1992].
THE BLACK SABBATH STORY I and II videos are released [1992].
(14th & 15th November 1992)
Rob Halford (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Vinny Appice (drums)
Ronnie James Dio stays for the length of the tour contracted, but when
two new dates are added late in the tour, he refused to support Ozzy Osbourne.
It is interesting to note that Vinny Appice plays the two shows.
So Rob Halford joined BLACK SABBATH for those two gigs making another
interesting bookmark in SABBATH's history including the second original lineup reunion.
(15th November 1992)
Ozzy Osbourne (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Bill Ward (drums)
Ozzy Osbourne's last two concerts. Ozzy Osbournes invites BLACK SABBATH
Mark I for a short jam after his last show. One track can be found on
the video and live album Ozzy Osbourne - "LIVE & LOUD". After that
show rumours of a big Mark I Re-Union Tour are going through the press.
But the whole thing stopped when Ozzy Osbourne refused to sign the
necessary contracts.
Ozzy Osbourne releases LIVE & LOUD [1992].
Tony Martin releases BACK WHERE I BELONG [1992].
(December 1993 - October 1994)
Tony Martin (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler(bass)
Bobby Rondinelli (drums)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Due to the re-union plans of Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler, Ronnie
James Dio and Vinny Appice left BLACK SABBATH and reformed their
own band DIO, wishing BLACK SABBATH all the best for the future.
For the new record Tony Martin returns to the band. Cozy Powell is
on tour with Brian May, so the new drummer is ex-Rainbow man Bobby
Rondinelli. The track "EVIL EYE" on "CROSS PURPOSES" was co-written
by Eddie Van Halen. Ray Gillen dies on December 01 1993 in Los Angeles
of stomach cancer- RIP.
(October 1994)
Tony Martin (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Bill Ward (drums)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Bill Ward returns for three gigs in South America (Chile, Argentina and
Brazil, supporting KISS) to check the situation in the band.
(October 1994 - 1996)
Tony Martin (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Neil Murray (bass)
Cozy Powell (drums)
Geoff Nicholls (keyboard)
Bill Ward decides not to join BLACK SABBATH. Geezer Butler also leaves.
He isn't satisfied with Tony Iommi and the work they've done for the
"NATIVITY IN BLACK" sampler. So Cozy Powell returns to the band. Neil
Murray comes back too, at first only to help out in the studios but
later on he decided to stay in the band. Rumours came up that Tony
Iommi becomes more and more "king of BLACK SABBATH" which leads to the
split with Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. Others say that Tony Iommi and
Gloria Butler had some discussions about the mixing of Cross Purposes
which lead to the split with Geezer.
Geezer Butler releases PLASTIC PLANET [1995]
Ozzy Osbourne releases OZZMOSIS [1995].
Geezer Butler releases BLACK SCIENCE [1997]
Bill Ward releases WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS [1997].
Dio releases STRANGE HIGHWAYS [1994] and ANGRY MACHINES [1996].
(4th, 5th December 1997-1999)
Ozzy Osbourne (vocals)
Tony Iommi (guitar)
Geezer Butler (bass)
Bill Ward (drums)
Two special concerts in Birmingham produce a video and live album.
Bill Ward has a heart attack in later tour rehearsals and is side lined
one more time. His replacement for the remaining European concerts is
Mike Bordin. Later two studio tracks are written by Tony Iommi and
Ozzy Osbourne to add to the live recording.
BLACK SABBATH release REUNION on October 20, 1998. SABBATH to start tour on New Year's Eve.
Dio releases INFERNO (LAST IN LIVE) [1998]
Dio releases MAGICA [2000]
Dio releases KILLING THE DRAGON [2002]
Iommi releases IOMMI [2000]
Ozzy releases DOWN TO EARTH [2001]
Ozzy releases LIVE AT BUDOKAN [2002]
BLACK SABBATH BAND REAL NAMES
Geezer Butler - Terrence Butler
Ronnie James Dio - Ronald James Padovona
Tony Iommi - Frank Anthony Iommi
Tony [The Cat] Martin - Tony Harford
Ozzy Osbourne - John Osbourne
Cozy Powell - Colin Flooks
Bill Ward - William Ward
BIRTHDAYS
Ozzy Osbourne (John Michael Osbourne) 3th December 1948
Tony Iommi (Frank Anthony Iommi) 19th February 1948
Bill Ward (William Ward) 5th May 1948
Geezer Butler (Terence Butler) 17th July 1949
Ronnie James Dio (Ronald James Padovona) 10th July 1943-1949 (best guess 1947)
Ian Gillan 19th August 1945
Glenn Hughes 18th July 1950
Ray Gillen 12th July 1960 - 1st December 1993 (R.I.P.)
Cozy Powell 29th December 1947 - 5th April 1998 (R.I.P.)
Geoff Nicholls 29th February 19??
Tony Martin 19th April 1957
Neil Murray 27th August 1950
Tony Iommi left Black Sabbath/Earth in late 1968 to join Jethro Tull. Mick Abrahams had left Jethro Tull because Ian Anderson wanted to take the band into a more progressive, rocky phase. Abrahams preferred the blues/jazz of their just-released first album, 'This Was'. He formed a new outfit called Blodwyn Pig. It only lasted a couple of years but reformed and broke up a couple more times over the years. Meanwhile, Iommi replaced Abrahams as a member of Jethro Tull and "performed" the tune "Song For Jeffrey" at the Rolling Stones' "Rock And Roll Circus" gig in December 1968. The gig was an invite only of all the bands the Stones liked a lot. Janis Joplin was there, also, Jimi Hendrix and The Who played as well at this Stones bash. The Stones never released the film because they felt they had been outplayed by The Who and it made no sense for them to release a film with their musical rivals that only highlighted their own bad performance. For many years it could only be heard on bootlegs like "Archangel" (double LP) and "Archangel Rides Again" (CD). In 1996 the film and soundtrack were finally released officially. Tony Iommi can be seen "playing" on "Song For Jeffrey". It is claimed that he is only miming, because the sound is the same as the album (Which was Abrahams). Ian Anderson is the only one in Jethro Tull actually performing it live. There are no other official recordings of Jethro Tull with Tony Iommi. Tony Iommi left the band soon after under a cloud. It seems that Ian Anderson didn't want a drug smoker in the band. This despite the fact that on a 1969 bootleg of the group in concert he talks of cutting of the bass player's fingernails and smoking them. Tony Iommi said that things didn't work out because Tull had a definite leader (Ian Anderson) so he went back to Black Sabbath and Martin Barre became Tull's new guitar player. Additionally Tony Iommi wrote the guitar part for the Jethro Tull song.
In September 1977 Ozzy left BLACK SABBATH. In the last years he had drunk
more and more. Due to his drug problems and after the death of his father
he wasn't able to stay any longer in the band. It was all to much to stand
for him. So he left BLACK SABBATH to re-organize his life.
...for the second time
The final split between Ozzy Osbourne and BLACK SABBATH happened in May 1979.
The reason for that second split is not certain. Rumors said that SABBATH
did their 'NEVER SAY DIE' Tour as a kind of farewell tour and then wanted to
stop playing under this name. Tony Iommi is supposed to get together with
Ronnie James Dio under the name but later on taken Geezer Butler and Bill
Ward with them under the name of 'BLACK SABBATH'.
Otherwise it's stated that Tony Iommi was so stressed by Ozzy Osbourne's drug
problems and musical ideas that he simply dropped him out of the band.
Tony Iommi himself said that Geezer Butler and Bill Ward went to Ozzy Osbourne
and told him that Tony Iommi has fired him but Tony Iommi has never told them to do so.
See page 94 of the Rosen book Wheels of Confusion for Tony Iommi talking about Ozzy leaving
and page 112 for Ozzy about this same subject.
...the re-union plans
The first chance of a big re-union came after the Live Aid Festival in 1985 where
BLACK SABBATH got together to play a few songs. But both, Ozzy Osbourne and
Tony Iommi, were more interested in working on their own projects.
Geezer, Bill Ward, and Ozzy did reunite for at one concert in Long Beach California
on February 8, 1991. Zakk Wylde was the guitarist. The concert was broadcast on KNAC.
This was as the Ozzy Osbourne band.
The second chance was after the jam due to Ozzy Osbournes so called last
concerts. The crowd, the band and everyone else were so enthusiastic that the
band thought about doing some big stadium shows. In the end the whole thing
went bigger and bigger so Ozzy Osbourne decided to stop it. He refused to sign
the necessary contracts. In the end all members of the band seemed to be very
lucky about that.
Bill stayed on with BLACK SABBATH after the Costa Mesa
Reunion for three gigs in South America with Tony Martin as singer in 1992.
Geezer, Tony and Ozzy got together and toured as BLACK SABBATH as the headline name of
the Ozz-Fest in 1997. Bill Ward was not asked to join which is a fact.
(Actually he was informed his services were not needed.
Check Mike Stark's web page for Bill Ward interview about Ozz-Fest.)
Finally Bill was asked to perform at their home town of Birmingham, England in 1998,
which was recorded and released entitled Reunion.
In 1982 Dio left BLACK SABBATH with the drummer Vinny Appice. After the split there was a huge amount of press releases and interviews from BLACK SABBATH where both Geezer Butler (bassist for BLACK SABBATH and Tony Iommi (guitarist for BLACK SABBATH) told how Ronnie and Vinny had sneaked in the night into the studios to mix low bass and especially guitar and to mix up vocals and drums. Later, rather quietly, Tony Iommi said that he was wrong with his accusations. Ronnie and Vinny didn't like those accusations and decided to leave together and form Dio (the band). This happened in October 1982. There were other reasons behind too, like the way how Tony and Geezer left the concert venues right after the show without meeting the fans backstage etc.
The reason for Iommi's beliefs was the fact that he and Geezer couldn't ever appear at the studios at the same time with Ronnie and Vinny. So neither of those parties knew well what the others were doing. . . .in 1992
Originally, before the DEHUMANIZER album was released, the reunited BLACK SABBATH was meant to be one-album-one-tour thing and nothing more. But around the release of DEHUMANIZER album, BLACK SABBATH members started to consider whether they would continue together - the word said that time that if DEHUMANIZER does well, Dio will continue in SABBATH. No official word was said about this, though. However, quite soon after the DEHUMANIZER tour had started it became apparent that there still were some problems. Ronnie and Vinny always were in the other end of the tour bus than Tony and Geezer. Those two parties didn't spend too much time together at all, and Tony and Geezer still disappeared right after the shows - sometimes only to the tour bus behind the venue, just to wait until Ronnie and Vinny would come. Ronnie and Vinny usually spent a couple of hours backstage with their fans.
When Ozzy invited BLACK SABBATH to open his "last" two shows, Ronnie decided that he would not do those shows. He didn't want to open to anyone, let alone Ozzy Osbourne, one of the original BLACK SABBATH members. He announced to BLACK SABBATH that they're free to do anything they want, but he will quit from BLACK SABBATH just before those two shows in Costa Mesa. Incidentally, the original contract Ronnie had made with BLACK SABBATH, was valid until November 13th, 1992 and those two Costa Mesa shows were scheduled to November 14th and 15th.
Those Costa Mesa shows were only the final nail for Ronnie's quitting from BLACK SABBATH. According to Ronnie himself, the fact that the band atmosphere hadn't changed in the 10 years was much more important reason for his quitting.
written by Tapio Keihanen (dio@snakemail.hut.fi)
Tony Iommi Profile
Date Of Birth - 19th February 1948
Place Of Birth - Aston, Birmingham, England
Starsign - Aquarius
Height - 6'2"
Weight - 13.5 stone
Colour Of Hair - BLACK
Colour Of Eyes - Green
Place Of Residence - Warwickshire, England
Cars Owned - Mercedes
Pets - Two Rottweiler Dogs
Hobbies - Cars, Watching Films, Walking
Likes - Having Peace Of Mind
Dislikes - Smoking And Arguing
Favourite Food - Japanese, Indian And Curry
Favorite Drinks - Guinnes, Lager, Vodka and Orange
Favorite Countries - USA & Hawaii for visiting & UK for residing
Favorite Cities - Los Angeles
Favorite TV Programmers - Get Smart & Rockford Files
Favorite Films - The Exorcist and most good horror films
Favorite Actor - Roger Moore and Clint Eastwood
Favorite Actress - No one in particular
Favorite Cars - Ferrari and Lamborghini
Favorite Form Of Travelling - Driving myself otherwise flying
Favorite Sports - Boxing and Wrestling
Favorite Books - Lob San Rampa and Nostradamus
Favorite Animal - Elephant
Favorite DJ's - Alan Freeman and Tommy Vance
Happiest Moments - When I'm getting the communication and feedback from fans at concerts, it's difficult to describe exactly.
Worst Moments - The problems with my ex-management and the divorce from my last wife.
Pet Hates - Getting up too early and having to travel.
If you weren't a Guitarist
what would you have been - Boxer or Wrestler
Early Influences - The Shadows & later on Django Reinhardt
Favorite Bands - Most good 70's bands like Zeppelin, Purple and The Moody Blues etc.
Favorite 80's Bands - No particular Favorites although there are some good ones around
Favorite Guitarists - Brian May, Eddie Van Halen & Joe Pass
Favorite Drummers - Cozy Powell & John Bonham
Favorite Male Singes - Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin
Favorite Female Singers - Anne Wilson of Heart & Barbara Streisand
Favorite Rock Singers - Tony Martin, Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan & David Coverdale
Favorite Instrument other
than Guitar - Piano
3 All Time Favorite
SABBATH Songs - HEAVEN AND HELL, BLACK SABBATH and SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH
Favorite Acoustic
SABBATH Song - Laguna Sunrise
Favorite News SABBATH Songs - Devil & Daughter and HEADLESS CROSS
3 All Time Favorite
SABBATH Albums - BLACK SABBATH, SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH and HEAVEN AND HELL
Favorite Own Guitar Solos - Heart Like A Wheel and at the time Lonely Is The Word
Favorite Riffs - Too many to name
Favorite SABBATH Album
Covers - SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH then HEAVEN AND HELL
Worst SABBATH Album Covers - SABOTAGE and BORN AGAIN
Favorite Country to
Perform In - Most Countries
Most Memorable Years for
SABBATH so far - 1973 and 1980
Why - '73 because of the general vibes at the time
and it saw us at a good peak
'80 because it was a new beginning. However,
this excludes the present situation which
is very exciting.
Remaining Goals To Archive - For the band to be back where it should be which is in the top bracket.
Tony Iommi in "BLACK SABBATH Appreciation Society Newsletter Volume 2, 1989".
What work has Tony Iommi done outside of the Black Sabbath name?
- "Smoke on the Water" from the Armenian relief thing
- Necromandus
-BOBBY HARRISON - FUNKIST
- "Miranha" Guitar No Speak vol II
- He was in the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992
- Iommi provides additional guitars on the track "Starcrossed", on the
1993 Diamond Head album "Death and Progress" (Bronze label).
- Iommi performs the solo on "Utopian Blaster" on Cathedral's 1995
"The Carnival Bizarre" album on Earache.
- "Wonderland" - a cover of the Shadows song from the 1996
"Twang! A Tribute to Hank Marvin and the Shadows". Bev Bevan on drums, Neil Murray on bass,
Don Airey on keyboard, and Gordon Giltrap on acoustic guitar.Tony Iommi appears on one track on a Drain album. In August 1996 Tony Iommi collaborated with Glenn Hughes to create 7 tracks for what is generally know as the Eighth Star bootleg.The Eighth Star includes one remix and one track that Iommi does not play on."IOMMI" the solo album is released 10/17/2000.