We’ve heard from Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi about their time on Black Sabbath and beyond. Now it’s time to hear Geezer Butler’s opinion. Black Sabbath’s bassist and lyricist may appear to be a nimble, sturdy figure at first glance, but don’t let his cool, svelte demeanor fool you. In his memoirs Into the Void: From birth to Black Sabbath – and beyondButler details his upbringing, delves deep into Black Sabbath’s origins, debunks many of the myths surrounding the band and their image, explores their ups and downs, and offers an honest, sometimes brutal, account of what is an integral part of the the band is often referred to interchangeably as the “Godfathers” and “Beatles” of heavy metal.
Like his bandmates, Terance “Geezer” Butler didn’t have it easy growing up in Birmingham. His Irish parents were practical and working class people. As the youngest of seven bassists, the road to stardom was a total departure from the norm. He almost became an accountant, but his love of art, literature and music led to a life of one-off experiences and ongoing financial problems, even during Black Sabbath’s reign in the 1970s. He attributes the rise of heavy metal in the ’80s and the celebrated legacy of Sabbath in its wake to his elevated status and financial prosperity.
Butler doesn’t hold back when it comes to describing his bandmates and their quirks. Of course, during Sabbath’s formative years, Osbourne was about as crazy as it gets. Drummer Bill Ward had drinking and hygiene issues but was always a good and reliable guy. Guitarist and de facto leader Iommi, a real prankster when you turn your back on him, remains the main musical figure in Butler’s life. Not only were they instrumental in writing Black Sabbath’s songs (mostly Butler’s lyrics and Iommi’s riffs); They also kept the Sabbath in all its forms the longest.
Even as Iommi began hiring other players under the “Black Sabbath” name in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Butler watched and kept up. He also spent time with Osbourne throughout the ’90s, recording and touring with the singer and his band, where he learned, among other dirty little things, that guitarist Zak Wylde is almost as crazy as his boss.
The business difficulties that swept Sabbath weren’t all that different from those of other bands of the period. In this case, her collaborations with music moguls like Don Arden and his daughter Sharon Osbourne, as well as managers Jim Simpson and Patrick Meehan, led to a lot of backstabbing, tax and legal issues, lost funds, and later “unsignable” contracts. This is where Butler really expresses his displeasure. Only his wife Gloria has gained the man’s trust, both privately and professionally.
Despite the obstacles, Butler seems extremely affable, content, balanced, and proud of his career. Off the Sabbath he lived a reasonably normal life with a wife and children in both the UK and US. He’s indulged in alcohol and drugs, got into fights and had a few run-ins with the authorities, but as the band’s only vegetarian, he’s emerged relatively unscathed from the perils of the rock star lifestyle.
A constant high point that keeps popping up is whenever he clarifies a line of Black Sabbath, most of which has been interpreted as dark, sinister, and satanic. According to legend, “NIB” is an acronym for “Nativity in Black,” which later became the title of a Black Sabbath tribute album. Butler says the band called Bill Ward’s beard “Nib” and capitalized the song title with dots for effect. It’s little things like this that make the book particularly enjoyable to read, especially if you’re a Black Sabbath fan.
Into the Void: From birth to Black Sabbath – and beyond ends with the end of Black Sabbath and Butler’s resignation. He parted ways with the music business without regret or bitterness. He is still in touch with his Sabbath bandmates. He was close to Ronnie James Dio, Sabbath’s second frontman, until the singer’s unfortunate death from cancer in 2010. No bridges were broken in the writing of this book, although some things are said to have been left out to protect the guilty. It remains to be seen whether an “uncensored” version will ever see the light of day. In the meantime, this tomb from the “heart and soul” of Black Sabbath is a fascinating story not to be missed.
~ Shawn Perry
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