1. The BLACK SABBATH family tree
00 POLKA TULK/EARTH
01 BLACK SABBATH #1a
02 BLACK SABBATH #02
03 BLACK SABBATH #1b
04 BLACK SABBATH #03
05 BLACK SABBATH #4a
06 BLACK SABBATH #05
07 BLACK SABBATH #06
08 BLACK SABBATH #07
09 BLACK SABBATH #1c
10 BLACK SABBATH #08
11 BLACK SABBATH #09
12 BLACK SABBATH #10
13 BLACK SABBATH #11
14 BLACK SABBATH #12
15 BLACK SABBATH #13
16 BLACK SABBATH #14a
17 BLACK SABBATH #4b
18 BLACK SABBATH #15
19 BLACK SABBATH #1d
20 BLACK SABBATH #16
21 BLACK SABBATH #17
22 BLACK SABBATH #14b
23 BLACK SABBATH #1e
0. POLKA TULK BLUES BAND/EARTH
(Autumn 1967 - January 1969)
Line Up: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar),
Geezer Butler (bass), Bill Ward (drums)
Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler had been in Rare Reed.
Tony Iommi and Bill Ward had been in Mythology and Cumbria.
For a short time the band has also Jimmy Phillips on slide guitar and one
saxophonist Acker.
1 BLACK SABBATH #1a
(January 1969 - September 1977)
Line Up: 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
2 BLACK SABBATH #2
(October 1977 - January 1978)
Line Up: 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.
3 BLACK SABBATH #1b
(January 1978 - May 1979)
Line Up: 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.
4 BLACK SABBATH #3
(May 1979 - August 1980)
Line Up: Ronnie James Dio (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer
Butler (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.
For more Dio information write to
Tapio Keihanen (dio@snakemail.hut.fi)
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. .
Ozzy releases Blizzard Of OZZ.
5 BLACK SABBATH #4a
(August 1980 - November 1982)
Line Up: 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.
6 BLACK SABBATH #5
(January 1983 - January 1984)
Line Up: 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.
7 BLACK SABBATH #6
(January 1983 - March 1984)
Line Up: 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.
8 BLACK SABBATH #7
(somewhere in 1984)
Line Up: 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.
9 BLACK SABBATH #1c
(13th July 1985)
Line Up: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar),
Geezer Butler (bass), Bill Ward (drums)
The first BLACK SABBATH Mark I 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.
10 BLACK SABBATH #8
(September 1985 - March 1986)
Line Up: 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.
11 BLACK SABBATH #9
(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].
12 BLACK SABBATH #10
(October 1986 - August 1987)
Line Up: 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.
13 BLACK SABBATH #11
(August 1987 - January 1988)
Line Up: 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.
14 BLACK SABBATH #12
(February 1988 - March 1988)
Line Up: 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!
15 BLACK SABBATH #13
(October 1988 - May 1989)
Line Up: 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.
16 BLACK SABBATH #14a
(June 1989 - October 1990)
Line Up: 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.
17 BLACK SABBATH #4b
(April 1991 - October 1992)
Line Up: 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].
18 BLACK SABBATH #15
(14th & 15th November 1992)
Line Up: 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.
19 BLACK SABBATH #1d
(15th November 1992)
Line Up: 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 stoped when Ozzy Osbourne refused to sign the
necessary contracts.
Ozzy Osbourne releases Live & Loud [1992].
Tony Martin releases Back Where I Belong [1992].
20 BLACK SABBATH #16
(December 1993 - October 1994)
Line Up: 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.
21 BLACK SABBATH #17
(October 1994)
Line Up: Tony Martin (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler
z(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.
22 BLACK SABBATH #14b
(October 1994 - 1996)
Line Up: 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].
23 BLACK SABBATH #1e
(4th, 5th December 1997-1999)
Line Up: 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]