Sheffield UK
“Black Sabbath” 1969- 1978
“BUZZ:Newspaper Article” Oct- Nov 2011 (#8-H)
By: R.L. Schwinden aka MrZero
Greetings Fans; MrZero here with installment #8. With the flurry of rumors about “Black Sabbath” reforming, I thought I would cover one of the biggest influences in my life as well as one of the most misunderstood bands of all time !!! So in the article I am going to take a entirely new approach, so take your protein pill, strap on your helmet and let’s go for a ride !!!!
*The Genesis: 1967- 1969
In 1967 there was a band named “The Rest” with Tony Iommi (Anthony Frank Iommi : 19Feb1948 Aston, Birmingham, UK) Son of Italian Immigrants. The Drummer was one Bill Ward (William Thomas Ward: 5May1948 Aston, Birmingham, UK). “The Rest” was offered some gigs in Germany and Iommi was going to leave his factory job as a machinist, on the last day of his employment, while cutting sheet metal he accidentally cut off 2 of his fingertips on his right hand which was his fingering hand, as he played left handed. Not to be detoured this youngster made his own prosthetic fingertips, which he called:”Thimbles” by melting plastic on his kitchen stove and decided it would be easier to play guitar if he tuned down a step and a half to C# from E. Heavy Metal is born…
A short time later there was a Band in 1968 “Mythology” There are recordings of “Mythology” like “Dust My Broom” & “Spoonful”. Meanwhile Ozzy (John Michael Osbourne: 3dec1948 Aston, Birmingham UK) & Geezer Butler (Terrance Michael Joseph Butler: 17jul1949 Birmingham, UK) Called Geezer because he was the youngest of the group, were playing in a band called “Rare Breed” There is a recording of Ozzy, probably from this time “Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” These 4 lads came together with 2 other guys: Jimmy Phillips on slide guitar & Alan “Aker” Clarke on saxophone & became the Polka Tulk Blues Company there is an Instrumental “Thomas James” out there of this 6 piece band. Then the 4 main members became Polka Tulk. In Sep 1968 the boys renamed themselves “Earth” which there are several recordings out there: “Song for Jim (Simpson)” “The Rebel” “When I Came Down” “Electric Sleep” “Early One Morning” “Earth (inst)” For a brief time 2 weeks in Dec 1968 Tony Iommi was in “Jethro Tull” appearing in the “RollingStones: Rock N Roll Circus” performing “Song For Jeffery” the band performs some 78 shows as Earth, before renaming themselves “Black Sabbath”
*What Is This… 1969
August 1969 the 4 lads from Birmingham see and ad for a 1963 Italian/ French film with Boris Karloff and decide to write a song of the same name and also rename the band the same name “Black Sabbath” However their first single is a cover by: Minneapolis Band “Crow” the song “Evil Woman (don’t play no games with me)” in Jan 1970. The 1st LP is released on Fri 13 Feb 1970 The song “Black Sabbath” is about the Devil or Death itself coming after someone. “The Wizard” is about um, well a Wizard, perhaps “Lord of the Rings”. “Behind the Wall of Sleep” is most likely about opium. “N.I.B.” (Pronounced Nib, is a reference to Bill Ward’s beard) is about the Devil falling in love with a human woman. “Wicked World” is about all the evils and injustice in the world. The band perform some 144 shows on the tour for the 1st LP.
*Take The Sleep…1970
“Paranoid” is released in Jan 1970 Initially this album was to be entitled “War Pigs” but the record label thought this was a bad idea. “War Pigs” is about the Viet Nam War. “Paranoid” is about mental depression. “Planet Caravan” is about traveling through outer space while on hallucinogenics. “Iron Man” is about the comic book character. “Electric Funeral” is about nuclear war. “Hand of Doom” is warning against doing drugs. “Fairies Wear Boots” is about what you can see while on hallucinogenics. Around 128 concerts were played for the tour of the 2nd album. On 25 May 1970 the band perform in Bremen on German TV for the program “Beat Club” performing “Blue Suede Shoes” & “Black Sabbath” The famous footage of “Paranoid” & “Iron Man” is from 26 Sep 1970.
3 October 1971 in Brussels, Belgium @ Theatre 140 (PopShop) With: Manfred Man Chapter III (Recorded on Video)
• Paranoid
• Hand of Doom
• Iron Man
• Guitar Solo
• Black Sabbath
• N.I.B.
• Behind the Wall of Sleep
• War Pigs
• Fairies Wear Boots
• Wicked World
*Searching For Your Mind…1971
“Master of Reality” is released Jul 1971 “Sweet Leaf” is a love song about well, duh. “After Forever” is about what could happen to those who do not follow the ways of the Lord. “Children of the Grave” another song about warning about nuclear war ”Lord of this World” appears to be about someone without faith. “Solitude” is about losing a loved one in a one sided breakup.” Into the Void” Again about nuclear war and the end of the earth and how the survivors will have to escape to outer space. Some 128 shows were performed for the tour of this album the opening concert being in St. Paul, Mn. at the Civic arena with opener ‘Bloodrock’ Collector’s note: The 1st pressing of this LP contains a Poster of the band by a tree & the track listing of: 1. Sweet Leaf 2. After Forever/ The Elegy 3. Embryo 4.Children Of The Grave/ The Haunting. Side B 1.Orchid 2. Step Up/ Lord Of The World 3.Solitude/ Death Mask 4.Into The Void.
*Will My Iceage Ever Come…1972
“Vol 4” is released in Sep 1972 originally entitled “Snowblind” for the band’s choice of recreational usage of a certain illicit substance. “Wheels of Confusion” is about a person pondering his life. “Tomorrow’s Dream” is about a romantic breakup and leaving to start over. “Changes” is about a romantic breakup and how their life will be without the other person. “Supernaut” is apparently how Ozzy felt while using his recreation of choice. “Cornucopia” is about the excesses of life cannot make you happy or save your sanity. “St. Vitus’ Dance” (a biblical reference to epilepsy) is about a misunderstanding between a romantic couple. “Under the Sun” Is about believing in yourself and letting others influence you in what to think.
Around 71 concerts were played to support this LP, the remainder of the US Tour is canceled due to Ozzy having a motorcycle accident. Sometime in 1973 “Attention: Black Sabbath” is released on the Fontana label #6438 -057 containing “Evil Woman” & 7 other tracks pulled from the 1st 2 LPs, later in 1975 “Attention Vol. 2” is released with 7 tracks pulled from the 1st 3 LPs.
*Tomorrows Become Yesterday…1973
“Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” is released in Nov 1973 The title song seems to refer to a hopeless depression. “A National Acrobat” is about the hereafter when you die ie. Heaven “Sabra Cadabra” is about a guy madly in love with is girl. “Killing Yourself to Live” is about the perils of drug usage. “Who Are You?” is about exposing someone or something ie. Government and their lies. “Looking for Today” is about the bands recent experiences in the music business.” Spiral Architect” appears to be about a person pondering the universe and is happy to be part of it. As drugs start to really take their toll on the band only 59 shows are performed this tour. The band appear at the legendary ‘California Jam’ on 6 April 1974, this show is filmed and recorded.
6 April 1974 in Ontario, California @ Ontario Raceway for “California Jam” (Recorded on Video)
• Tomorrow’s Dream
• Sweet Leaf
• Killing Yourself to Live
• Snowblind
• War Pigs
• A National Acrobat
• Cornucopia
• Sabbra Cadabra
• Guitar Solo /
• Drum Solo
• Supernaut
• Iron Man
• Black Sabbath
• Embryo / Children of the Grave
• Paranoid
*Why Doesn’t Everybody Leave Me Alone…1975
“Sabotage” is released in Jul 1975 “Hole in the Sky” is about a person disillusioned with the world wanting to escape to heaven, “Symptom of the Universe” seems to be a love song of sorts perhaps for a woman or the person’s child. “Megalomania” is about a person’s deteriorating mental health. “Thrill of it All” seems to be about longing to be free or the age old question “what is it all about” “Am I Going Insane” well pretty self explanatory here, folks. “The Writ” is about their legal hassles in the music business. To promote this album some 78 shows are performed including an appearance on ‘Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert’ on 25 Oct 1975.
4 September 1975 in Santa Monica @ Santa Monica Civic Center For: Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert Broadcast Date: 25 Oct 1975
* Killing yourself to live
* Hole in the sky
* Snowblind (including snow flakes)
* War Pigs
* Paranoid
*Turning on the Nation…1976
“Technical Ecstasy” is released in Nov 1976 “Backstreet Kids” about a kid from Birmingham who has big dreams of getting out of the slums though Rock N Roll.” You Won’t Change Me” another song about believing in yourself and do not let yourself be influenced by others way of thinking. “It’s Alright” sung by Bill Ward, and covered by ‘Guns N Roses’ is about living a good life and things will be… “Gypsy” is about an evil woman who one should not get involved with. “All Moving Parts Stand Still” is about a crooked transvestite politician. “Rock N Roll Doctor” when you’re feeling down, take a dosage of Rock N Roll. “She’s Gone” another break up song this one he loses his fiancée. “Dirty Women” is about women who can be obtained monetarily. The tour for this album was some 86 dates. I have 8mm footage from the 28 Oct 1976 in Des Moines, Iowa @ Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium date with the opener ‘Boston’. Ozzy frustrated with the direction of the band quits in Nov 1977.
In 1977 in response to Ozzy leaving the band, Patrick Meehan releases a “Greatest Hits” LP 10 tracks pulled from the 1st 5 Black Sabbath LPs. The cover is a section “El triunfo de la muerte” (“The Triumph of Death”) By: of Pieter Brueghel the Elder’s. In the spring of 1978 The Mormon Church of Latter Day Saints, had aired a TV commercial with the background music using the song “Laguna Sunrise” from the Black Sabbath LP “We Sold Our Souls For Rock N Roll” (that was released on 3 Feb 1976). When someone brought it to the attention of Church Leaders that they were in fact using a song by “Black Sabbath” the commercial was pulled immediately.
19 June 1978 in London, England @ Hammersmith Odeon With: Tanz Der Youth
* Symptom of the Universe
* War Pigs
* Never Say Die
* Dirty Women
* Rock & Roll Doctor
* Guitar Solo
* Electric Funeral
* Embryo / Children of the Grave
* Paranoid
* Snowblind
* Black Sabbath
* Iron Man
* Fairies Wear Boots
* Hand of Doom
* N.I.B.
* Gypsy
*You’re Coming Home Again Tomorrow…1978
“Never Say Die” is released in Sep 1978 These sessions were originally started with singer Dave Walker from ‘Savoy Brown’ The title song is about not giving up in life (perhaps an RAF motto). Johnny Blade is about a street punk. “Junior’s Eyes” appears to be about a son losing his father, (there is a demo with Walker singing). “Hard Road” is about life is a hard road so make the best of it.”Shock Wave” another one about mental illness & death. “Air Dance” is about a dancer looking back on her career. “Over to You” is about a person who handed his future over to the government. “Swinging the Chain” is about the state of Rock N Roll and the future of rock stars, the 2nd song sung by Bill Ward, because Ozzy didn’t want to. For the 10th Anniversary/ final tour with Ozzy they perform some 110 dates, most of these are done with ‘Van Halen’ as the opening act.
*I Love My Woman … 1980
In July 1980 former manager Patrick Meehan released “Live At Last” from a 16 Mar 1973 concert recorded in London at the Rainbow Theater in Finnsbury Park. This is the 1st official yet Unofficial “Live” LP from the band. Several interesting things about this LP, it contains a pre- studio version of Killing Yourself To Live” and another song now known as “Untitled”
In closing, yes the music is dark and mostly written by Tony Iommi, and the lyrics, written mostly by Geezer Butler are very poetic and full of imagery, however the predominate themes are 1. Mental Health 2. Romantic break ups 3. Drug use and what can happen by using drugs 4. Nuclear War 5. Politicians and Government 6. Faith in God & Religion 7. Fear of the Devil… Seems to me this is the most misunderstood band of all time !!!!!! So put on some Black Sabbath and get educated just like I did…
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