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Ozzy Osbourne & Black Sabbath

Music Legends
Pioneers / of Heavy Metal / Music
Formed: 1968 in Birmingham, England | Active: 1968-2017
Band Musicians
Expert Tip: Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne as lead vocalist created the blueprint for heavy metal music, influencing countless bands across generations.

Key Band Members

1Ozzy Osbourne (Vocals)
Ozzy's distinctive vocals defined Black Sabbath's early sound.
Known as the "Prince of Darkness" in metal circles.
2Tony Iommi (Guitar)
Iommi's heavy riffs became the foundation of metal guitar.
Developed his signature sound after a factory accident.
3Geezer Butler (Bass)
Butler wrote most of the band's dark, occult-themed lyrics.
His bass lines complemented Iommi's guitar perfectly.
4Bill Ward (Drums)
Ward's jazz-influenced drumming added complexity to their sound.
Provided backing vocals on early recordings.
Expert Tip: The original lineup recorded six studio albums between 1970-1978 before Ozzy's departure, creating metal's most influential early catalog.

Essential Albums

1Black Sabbath (1970)
The debut album that invented heavy metal.
Features classics like "Black Sabbath" and "N.I.B."
2Paranoid (1970)
Their most successful album with hits "Paranoid" and "Iron Man."
Defined the metal genre's musical and thematic elements.
3Master of Reality (1971)
Introduced downtuned guitars and heavier sound.
Influenced doom metal and stoner rock genres.
4Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973)
Marked a progression in their musical complexity.
Features synthesizers and more elaborate arrangements.

Cultural Impact

1Heavy Metal Pioneers
Credited with creating the heavy metal genre.
Their dark, heavy sound became the template for metal.
2Ozzy's Solo Career
After firing, Ozzy launched an even more successful solo career.
Became known as the "Godfather of Metal."
3Reunions & Legacy
Original lineup reunited several times before final retirement.
Inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
4Influence on Music
Inspired generations of metal bands from Metallica to Slipknot.
Their sound spawned multiple metal subgenres.
Expert Tip: Black Sabbath's influence extends beyond metal - their impact can be heard in hard rock, grunge, punk, and even classical music compositions.