List of Black Sabbath band members

Black Sabbath were an English hard rock band from Aston, Birmingham. Formed in 1968, the group originally featured vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward. The initial lineup of the band lasted until 1977, during which time they released seven successful studio albums, including UK Albums Chart top-five releases Paranoid, Master of Reality and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. Osbourne left the group in 1977 and was replaced briefly by Dave Walker, although the founding frontman returned the following year. His return was short-lived, however, and he was replaced in 1979 by Ronnie James Dio at the suggestion of Sharon Arden, who would later marry Osbourne. Butler also briefly left in 1979, although after hearing sessions recorded by replacement Craig Gruber he returned.

The new lineup of Black Sabbath, complete with the addition of keyboardist Geoff Nicholls, released the critically acclaimed album Heaven and Hell in 1980, before drummer Ward was fired from the band due to a drinking problem. With Vinny Appice replacing Ward, the band released Mob Rules in 1981 and live album Live Evil in 1982, before Dio and Appice left to form the band Dio together. Former Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan was brought in (and original drummer Ward returned) for 1983's Born Again. Throughout the mid-1980s, the lineup of Black Sabbath changed numerous times, with members including David Donato, Jo Burt and Terry Chimes not contributing to any releases.

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