That same year, Iommi and Butler were rejoined by Dio and drummer Vinny Appice to record Dehumanizer (1992). Martin, who replaced Gillen in 1987, was the second longest serving vocalist and recorded three albums with Black Sabbath before his dismissal in 1991. 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. Their debut album, Black Sabbath, was released the following month. Signing to Philips Records in November 1969, they released their first single, " Evil Woman" in January 1970. 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, with Iommi being the only constant member throughout its history.Īfter previous iterations of the group called 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.