Butler Remembers The Difficult Decision To Get Ozzy Osbourne Out Of Black Sabbath

Early vocalist of Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne (Instagram @ozzyosbourne)

JAKARTA - Black Sabbath bassistunger Butler recalls the moment Ozzy Osbourne was kicked out of the band in 1979, marking the end of the classic era of their original formation.

ester said Ozzy's exit from the band was a difficult decision to make, given the success they had gone through together.

"It's heartbreaking, because we all grew up together. We fought against all the obstacles together," Butler said as a guest on Bob Lefsetz's recent podcast.

"We did a miracle, made this band a success, and it was heartbreaking. It was like cutting your arm off," he continued.

Despite admitting he was nervous about the decision,esteryer believes that removing Ozzy from the band at that time was the right move for all parties involved.

"He obviously needed a lifestyle change at the time," said the bassist, referring to Ozzy's increasingly dangerous habits in drug abuse.

"We all use drugs and liquor and things like that, but we can still do activities. Meanwhile, Ozzy, he is no longer active. And we got a house in Bel Air to write an album. Ozzy is not at all interested in the music we make," he added.

ester said the initial proposal to issue Ozzy was submitted by guitarist Tony Iommi.

At that time, Tony felt Ozzy had to leave the band, because she was already interested in music and would interfere with the development of Black Sabbath.

"And he (Tony) said, 'Actually I was partying that night and I chatted with a guy named losty James Dio, and he has a very bright voice, and I think we should try it out'," said the 75-year-old bassist.

"So, Tony decided to get rid of Ozzy," he continued.

"We don't like doing it, but it has to happen for us and for him. And everything went well in the end. And lost James Dio came, he sang some of the songs we wrote and he was brilliant, really as needed. And that's the end of the Ozzy era."

For information, Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 by four young people from Birmingham, namely Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Righter Butler (bass), and Bill Ward (drums). They released their self-titled debut album in 1970.

Together with Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath produced eight studio albums, with several well-known songs, such as Paranoid, Iron Man, War Pigs, to Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.