Fans just finding out how Black Sabbath decided on their name | Music | Entertainment

Before they became legends in the music world, Black Sabbath started as just one of many bands playing in the dimly-lit locals and clubs of Birmingham. Now avid followers are delving into the history behind what some deem the greatest band name ever.

The story kicks off in 1968 with a band called Mythology, featuring guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward. Relentless in their pursuit of heavy blues rock, they were soon joined by local talents Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler, who had previously been a duo in Rare Breed.

It was Ozzy’s ad in a shop that sparked it all: “OZZY ZIG Needs Gig – has own PA.”

Little did anyone know, that small note was the starting point for one of the most momentous bands in history.

Their initial setup, known as The Polka Tulk Blues Band, was a bit haphazard with its extended lineup including Jimmy Phillips on slide guitar and Alan ‘Aker’ Clarke on sax. This quirky-sounding ensemble indicated a more whimsical twist, but it wasn’t long before Tony questioned the band’s direction, reports the Daily Record.

Fearing not all the members were as invested as he was, Tony opted for an indirect method of dismissing them – the band dissolved and quietly re-emerged as a tighter unit dubbed Earth. The group began to carve out their unique sound, laying down early tracks like Song for Jim and securing performances across the Midlands.

They drew the attention of Jim Simpson, a local club owner and trumpet player, who offered them regular gigs at his venue, Henry’s Blueshouse – on the stipulation that they’d receive free t-shirts instead of cash. By 1969, Earth was on the rise, but they hit a snag: another band in England was already using the name Earth. They needed a new identity.

Directly opposite their Birmingham rehearsal space, a cinema was screening the 1963 horror flick Black Sabbath, featuring Boris Karloff. Geezer Butler, the bassist, observed the moviegoers queuing up and remarked, “Isn’t it strange that people spend so much money to see scary movies?”

Spurred by this thought, Geezer and Ozzy Osbourne crafted a song titled Black Sabbath, drawing inspiration from horror author Dennis Wheatley and a spine-chilling experience Geezer had with a shadowy figure at his bedside. Their music incorporated the tritone, an interval once dubbed diabolus in musica or ‘the Devil’s Interval’, creating a sound utterly distinct from anything else on the airwaves in 1969.

The track Black Sabbath marked a pivotal moment for the band. Realising the potent allure of their new direction, they ditched the name Earth and, in August 1969, embraced the moniker Black Sabbath.

Their inaugural performance under the new moniker occurred on August 30 in Workington. From that point forward, they embraced more sinister themes and began to craft a sound that was more influenced by horror films than the psychedelic or flower power movements that were prevalent in the charts at the time.

Black Sabbath launched their eponymous debut album in February 1970. While most critics were perplexed or dismissive, the fans backed their endeavours, and the album sold quickly, laying the foundation for a legacy they can proudly claim today.