It's undeniable that Black Sabbath is one of the most significant bands in the early days of heavy metal. But even as a pioneer and forerunner in this sense, they were still heavily influenced by other artists and sounds.
During a recent interview on the radio program The Rocker Morning Show , Geezer Butler , bassist for the band, spoke a bit about the artists who inspired him and how that was reflected in Black Sabbath. According to Blabermouth , Butler explained that, like Ozzy Osbourne , The Beatles were a fundamental band for him.
“They were a huge influence because there was nobody like them at the time. Up until then, it was, like, my brothers liked Elvis [Presley] , Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly , that sort of thing. And there weren’t any real English [rock bands]… When the Beatles came along, they had a completely original sound.” He continued: “And as soon as the Beatles became successful, then came the Rolling Stones , the Kinks , The Who , Herman’s Hermits , a whole explosion of British pop music.”
Did the Beatles invent heavy metal?
There is a recurring discussion about whether Paul , John , George , and Ringo was responsible for the beginning of heavy metal. Both Geezer Butler and guitarist Tony Iommi have admitted in previous interviews that the Beatles' influence was necessary for the emergence of the musical style as we know it today.
Songs like “Helter Skelter,” considered by Paul McCartney to be the band's heaviest, or “Taxman,” are perfect examples of the genre's beginnings. John Lennon even refers to “Ticket To Ride ,” in an interview with David Sheff of Playboy , as the world's first heavy metal song.
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