BREAKING: Black Sabbath Guitarist Tony Iommi Co...read more.

BREAKING: Black Sabbath Guitarist Tony Iommi Co…read more.

In a recent interview, legendary guitarist Tony Iommi opened up about one of the most pivotal moments in Black Sabbath’s history the decision to part ways with frontman Ozzy Osbourne. Contrary to popular belief, Iommi clarified that the move to fire Ozzy wasn’t made by him alone but was a unanimous decision made by the entire band.

“It wasn’t just my decision to fire Ozzy,” Iommi stated. “It was a band decision. It was either we break up or we carry on without him.” At the time, the band was struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, and tensions were high. Creative stagnation and internal conflict were threatening to tear Black Sabbath apart. According to Iommi, continuing with Osbourne would have likely led to the band’s total collapse.

Ozzy Osbourne had been the charismatic and iconic frontman of Black Sabbath since its inception in the late 1960s. His unique voice and stage presence helped define the band’s heavy, doom-laden sound that laid the groundwork for heavy metal. However, by the late 1970s, substance abuse had taken its toll, affecting both his performance and his relationship with the rest of the group.

The band eventually brought in Ronnie James Dio to replace Osbourne, leading to a new era for Black Sabbath. The decision proved successful, as the band experienced a creative revival and released the critically acclaimed album Heaven and Hell in 1980.

While the firing of Ozzy remains one of the most dramatic moments in rock history, Iommi emphasized that it was a necessary move to keep the band alive. “We had to do what was best for Black Sabbath,” he concluded. “And at that point, letting Ozzy go was the only way forward.”