

Following two albums with Dio, Black Sabbath endured many personnel changes in the 1980s and 1990s that included vocalists Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen and Tony Martin, as well as several drummers and bassists. He was replaced by former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Osbourne's excessive substance abuse led to his firing in 1979. The band's popularity grew, and by 1973's Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, critics were starting to respond favourably. Though it received a negative critical response, the album was a commercial success, leading to a follow-up record, Paranoid, later that year. Signing to Philips Records in November 1969, they released their first single, " Evil Woman", in January 1970, and their debut album, Black Sabbath, was released the following month. They distinguished themselves through occult themes with horror-inspired lyrics and down-tuned guitars. The band had multiple line-up changes following Osbourne's departure in 1979 and Iommi is the only constant member throughout their history.Īfter previous iterations of the group – the Polka Tulk Blues Band and Earth – the band settled on the name Black Sabbath in 1969. The band helped define the genre with releases such as Black Sabbath (1970), Paranoid (1970) and Master of Reality (1971). They are often cited as pioneers of heavy metal music. Black Sabbath were an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne.
