Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath was an English hard-rock/metal band, originally from Birmingham, that released 19 studio albums between 1970 and 2013. , the band released 19 albums over the course of their career. The band’s “classic” lineup — comprised of Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — was active from 1969 to 1978 and released eight studio albums. Ex-Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio led the band’s second coming during the early 1980s.

Members: Tony Iommi (guitar, flute), Ozzy Osbourne (vocals, 1969-77, 1978-79, 1997-2017), Geezer Butler (bass, 1969-84, 1987, 1990-94, 1997-2017), Bill Ward (drums, vocals, 1969-80, 1983-84, 1994, 1997-2012), Dave Walker (vocals, 1977-78), Craig Gruber (bass, 1979), Geoff Nicholls (keyboards, guitar, bass, vocals, 1979-2004), Ronnie James Dio (vocals, 1979-82, 1991-92), Vinny Appice (drums, 1980-82, 1991-92, 1998-99), Ian Gillan (vocals, 1983-84), Bev Bevan (drums, 1983-84, 1987)

Black Sabbath formed from the ashes of two Brummie acts: Mythology and Rare Breed. Guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward (both earlier in beatsters The Rest) had just bailed on blues-rocker Mythology after a group-arrest for cannabis possession in May 1968. They teamed with singer Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler, both formerly of Rare Breed, after spotting Osbourne’s bulletin that read “OZZY ZIG Needs Gig – has own PA.”

The new band initially gigged as The Polka Tulk Blues Band with two additional members. After a brief run as Earth, Iommi left to join Jethro Tull for their appearance in The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. He rejoined Earth and they changed names again, this time to Black Sabbath, taken from a 1963 Boris Karloff film then screening in Birmingham.

Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath released their self-titled debut album on February 13, 1970, on Vertigo.

In the US, Black Sabbath appeared on June 1, 1970, on Warner Bros.

“Evil Woman / Wicked World”
Released: 9 January 1970

Paranoid

Black Sabbath released their second album, Paranoid, on September 18, 1970, on Vertigo.

In the US, Warner issued Paranoid on January 7, 1971.

“Paranoid”
Released: 7 August 1970 (UK)
“Iron Man”
Released: October 1971 (US)

Master of Reality

Black Sabbath released their third album, Master of Reality, on July 21, 1971, on Vertigo and Warner Bros.

“Children of the Grave”
Released: August 1971

Vol. 4

Black Sabbath released their fourth album, Vol. 4, on September 25, 1972, on Vertigo and Warner.

“Tomorrow’s Dream”
Released: 22 September 1972

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

Black Sabbath released their fifth album, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, in November 1973 on Vertigo and Warner.

“Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”
Released: 2 November 1973

Sabotage

Black Sabbath released their sixth album, Sabotage, on July 28, 1975, on Vertigo and Warner.

Technical Ecstasy

Black Sabbath released their seventh album, Technical Ecstasy, on September 25, 1976, on Vertigo and Warner.

“It’s Alright” 

Never Say Die!

Black Sabbath released their eighth album, Never Say Die!, on September 29, 1978, on Vertigo and Warner.

“Never Say Die”
Released: May 1978
“Hard Road”
Released: September 1978

Heaven and Hell

Black Sabbath released their ninth album, Heaven and Hell, on April 18, 1980, on Vertigo and Warner.

“Neon Knights”
Released: 20 June 1980
“Lady Evil”
Released: 1980 (US)
“Die Young”
Released: 28 November 1980 (UK)

Mob Rules

Black Sabbath released their tenth album, Mob Rules, on November 4, 1981, on Vertigo and Warner.

“The Mob Rules”
Released: October 1981

“Turn Up the Night”
Released: February 1982

Born Again

Black Sabbath released their eleventh album, Born Again, on September 12, 1983, on Vertigo and Warner.

“Trashed”
Released: October 1983

Seventh Star

Black Sabbath released their twelfth album, Seventh Star, on January 28, 1986, on Vertigo and Warner.

The Eternal Idol

Black Sabbath released their thirteenth album, The Eternal Idol, on November 23, 1987, on Vertigo and Warner.

Headless Cross

Black Sabbath released their fourteenth album, Headless Cross, on April 24, 1989, on I.R.S.

Tyr

Black Sabbath released their fifteenth album, Tyr, on August 20, 1990, on I.R.S.

Dehumanizer

Black Sabbath released their sixteenth album, Dehumanizer, on June 22, 1992, on I.R.S. and Reprise.

Discography: