"Geezer Butler recalls the intellect and wit shared with his old friend and Black Sabbath companion Ozzy Osbourne, despite their sporadic communication which hadn't occurred since 2017"
Black Sabbath: A Journey Through the '70s
In 1968, the musical landscape was about to change forever. Geezer Butler, a budding bassist, was on a mission to find a vocalist for his band, then known as Earth. He answered an ad in a music store that read "Ozzy Zig needs a gig." After a missed encounter, Ozzy Osbourne, clad in a brown work gown and bare feet, carrying a chimney brush, showed up at Butler's doorstep, much to the latter's amusement [2][4].
The newly formed Black Sabbath initially rehearsed blues covers from bands like Cream and John Mayall, honing their skills from 9am to noon at a local community center in Aston [4]. They knew they needed original songs to secure a record deal, and Butler had a vision. Inspired by a Boris Karloff horror film, he wanted to name the band Black Sabbath. Once they wrote their first doomy song, the name stuck [4].
Their debut album, Black Sabbath (1970), was a testament to their unique sound. The very first song they wrote together was "Wicked World," with lyrics by Ozzy that reflected the turmoil of the time, including the threat of nuclear war and the Vietnam War [4]. The album's dark music and lyrics were inspired by Butler’s interest in occult themes and nightmares he experienced [3].
One of their most famous early songs, "Paranoid," was born during a lunch break late in the recording sessions for Paranoid (1970). Tony Iommi was working on a new riff, which the band liked immediately. Butler wrote lyrics in less than the time it took to eat a sandwich. The record company insisted on releasing "Paranoid" as the next single, which became hugely influential and a defining track for their career [1][5].
Despite the drugs, business side of things, and feelings of betrayal that would eventually wear down the band, particularly affecting Ozzy Osbourne, the band members quickly bonded tightly [2]. Their first gig together reportedly ended in a brawl, but they soon became inseparable brothers in arms.
Ozzy Osbourne's defining moments as a vocalist include the doom and venom in War Pigs and Hand of Doom, the soaring vocals in Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and the heartfelt softness in Changes. His ability to make the lyrics sound like they came from his soul was remarkably effective.
In 2025, Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne, along with Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, reunited for a show called "Back to the Beginning" [6]. However, Butler's only regret was not saying goodbye to Ozzy Osbourne face-to-face after the final performance. Despite this, the two remained close and continued to work together even after Ozzy left Sabbath.
References:
- Paranoid - Black Sabbath
- Black Sabbath - Early Days
- Black Sabbath - Debut Album
- Geezer Butler - Interview
- Paranoid - Recording and Release
- Black Sabbath Reunion
- Geezer Butler, inspired by a Boris Karloff horror film, suggested naming their band Black Sabbath, a moniker that stuck after they wrote their first doomy song.
- Tony Iommi was working on a new riff during a lunch break, which became the basis for the hugely influential song, "Paranoid," when Butler wrote lyrics in less than the time it took to eat a sandwich.
- As celebrities, Black Sabbath's music and performances were a significant influence on the entertainment industry in the 1970s, particularly with Ozzy Osbourne's unique vocal techniques.
- In 2025, Les Paul guitars and Amps filled the stage as Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne, along with Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, reunited for a show, acknowledging their lasting impact on the music world.
