Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath is an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They are often cited as one of the pioneers of heavy metal music. Black Sabbath's work includes studio albums such as Black Sabbath (1970), Paranoid (1970), and Master of Reality (1971), which defined the genre. The band underwent numerous lineup changes after Ozzy Osbourne's departure in 1979, with Tony Iommi being the only constant member throughout its history.

Ozzy Osbourne's excessive substance abuse led to his dismissal in 1979. He was replaced by former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio. After two albums with Ronnie James Dio, Black Sabbath underwent many lineup changes in the 1980s and 1990s, which included vocalists Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes, Ray Gillen, and Tony Martin, as well as several drummers and bassists. Tony Martin, who replaced Ian Gillan in 1987, was the second longest-serving vocalist in the band, recording three albums with Black Sabbath before his dismissal in 1991. In the same year, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler rejoined the band and, together with Ronnie James Dio and drummer Vinny Appice, recorded Dehumanizer (1992). After two more studio albums with Tony Martin, who replaced Ronnie James Dio in 1993, the original lineup of the band reunited in 1997 and released the live album Reunion the following year; they continued to tour occasionally until 2005.