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It began in 1967 in the bowels of Aston, England. John "Ozzy" Osbourne was toremnted as a child by Tommy Iommi. Terrance "Geezer" Butler was a social outcast. All 3 grew up within a mile of each other. Their love for music brought them together along with drummer Bill Ward to for Polka Tulk. Polka Tulk was short lived and the band regrouped as Earth Blues Company which was again changed to Earth.

In 1969 Tommy Iommi left the band to join Jethro tull but returned a few months later with ideas for several songs and a love for the Boris Karloff film "Fear". The band renamed themselves "Fear" and began working on their own style of music.
In 1970 as Fear was ready to release their self titled album Iommi lost the tips of his fingers in an industrial accident. Finding it too painful to play with the now shortened fingers he made thimbles out of plastic to fit on his fingers. This created a heavier sound for the band. They changed their name to Black Sabbath and by the time the album Fear hit the US they incurred the wrath of many religous groups.
Black Sabbath quickly followed Fear with the release of Parinoid and Master of Reality in 1971. By now they were embraced by the Church of Satan and parents everywhere cringed to the sound of War Pigs and Sweet Leaf being played by their children.
In 1972 they released Vol.4 which was followed by Sabbottage in 1973. By now the drinking drugs were taking their toll on the band and their creativity.

Sabotage (1975) was a half-hearted effort and Technical Ecstasy (1976) was an ill-fated electronic journey into the realm of synthesizers. Internal tensions became unbearable during the writing process for their eighth album, as the personal lives of the members spiraled out of control. In 1977 Ozzy quit the band and was briefly replaced by ex-Savoy Brown singer Dave Walker. Ozzy returned briefly before for Never Say Die! (1978).

Ronnie James Dio took over for Ozzy in 1980 and the band released Heaven and Hell. Dio left in 1982 and from there the band has reformed in many ways for reunion tours.

Learn more about this author, Michael Burns.
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