The formation of the legendary heavy metal band that has captivated audiences with their energetic performances and powerful music can be traced back to their humble beginnings in Birmingham, England.
Early Inceptions
In 1968, John "Ozzy" Osbourne, a young and ambitious singer whose powerful voice would later become synonymous with heavy metal, formed a band called Polka Tulk Blues with guitarist Tony Iommi.
During this early phase, the lineup experienced several member changes and experimented with various musical styles before their sound began to take shape.
Tony Iommi's Finger Injury
A significant moment in the band's evolution occurred when Tony Iommi sustained a life-changing injury at work, severing the tips of two fingers on his right hand. Undeterred by this setback, Iommi devised an innovative way of tuning his guitar that would subsequently serve as a foundation for the characteristic heavy metal sound they would become known for.
Black Sabbath's Birth
After experimenting with alternative names like Earth and The Paranoid, the band finally settled on Black Sabbath, inspired by Boris Karloff's 1963 horror film of the same name. This marked the official birth of the iconic group in 1969.
With Geezer Butler joining on bass and Bill Ward rounding out the lineup on drums, Black Sabbath was now ready to embark on their path to creating music that would redefine the genre and influence generations of musicians and fans alike.