Black Sabbath, Paranoid

!   Formed in Birmingham, UK in 1968 by Ozzy Osbourne (lead vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass guitar), and Bill Ward (drums).!   Originally called Polka Tulk before changing to Earth!   Began incorporating occult- and horror-inspired lyrics with tuned- down guitars, changing their name to Black Sabbath and achieving multiple platinum records in the 1970s.!   Total of 22 musicians have at one time been members of Black Sabbath.!   Despite an association with occult and horror themes, Black Sabbath also composed songs dealing with social and political issues such as drugs and war.!   Black Sabbath is generally considered both the first and greatest heavy metal band.

The Dark Side!   Geezer Butler noted people lining up for the Boris Karloff horror film “Black Sabbath” –  Osbourne and Butler wrote the lyrics for a song called "Black Sabbath", which was inspired by the work of occult writer Dennis Wheatley!   Band changes name to Black Sabbath in August 1969, decides to focus on writing similar material, and create the musical equivalent of horror films.!   Making use of the musical tri-tone (aka "The Devils Interval“) along with Iommi’s heavy, ominous guitar, and dark lyrics, the band pushed in a darker direction!   Self-titled “Black Sabbath” released in February 1970 –  #8 in the UK Albums Chart, reached #23 on the Billboard 200

Guitarist Tony Iommi!   In 1966, Iommi suffers workplace accident, losing the tips of two fingers on his right hand.!   Almost gave up music, but was urged by a friend to listen to Django Reinhardt, a jazz guitarist who lost the use of two fingers.!   Iommi creates two thimbles made of plastic and leather to cap off his missing fingers.!   The guitarist began using lighter strings, and detuning his guitar, to better grip the strings with his prosthesis, a move which inadvertently gave the music a darker feel!   Left handed guitarist ROCK

Paranoid – The Album!   Band quickly returned to the studio in June 1970, only 4 months after “Black Sabbath” was released.!   Released in September 1970, band’s 2nd studio album!   Commonly identified as the bands magnum opus. –  Certified four times platinum by the RIAA and contains some of the bands best-known tracks, including the title track, "Iron Man" and "War Pigs".!   Originally named "War Pigs", which was critical of the Vietnam War.

Track List!   Side one –  "War Pigs" – 7:55 * –  "Paranoid" – 2:47 –  "Planet Caravan" – 4:30 –  "Iron Man" – 5:58!   Side two –  "Electric Funeral" – 4:47 –  "Hand of Doom" – 7:07 –  "Rat Salad" – 2:29 –  "Fairies Wear Boots" – 6:13 * * On the North American edition of the album, the songs "War Pigs" and "Fairies Wear Boots" were entitled "War Pigs/Lukes Wall" and "Jack The Stripper/Fairies Wear Boots", respectively.

Album Cover TriviaWhat was the inspirationfor the Album Cover?A.  The view from Shannon’s room, again under siege from Adam, circa 1982.B.  The bands visual interpretation of a "war pig" was featured on the cover; a distorted, eerie photograph of a bearded man wielding a sword, and shield jumping out from behind a tree.

“Paranoid” – The Single!   "Paranoid" was written in the studio at the last minute. –  As (drummer) Bill Ward explains: "We didnt have enough songs for the album, and Tony just played the (Paranoid) guitar lick and that was it. It took 20-25 minutes from top to bottom.“ –  The single was released ahead of the album in September 1970 and reached #4 on the UK charts, remaining Black Sabbaths only top ten hit.

Legacy!   Black Sabbath helped define the heavy metal genre, one of the first and most influential hard rock bands!   Ranked by MTV as the "Greatest Metal Band" of all time!   Second in VH1s "100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock" list, behind Led Zeppelin.!   Over 15 million records sold in the United States alone, 100 million worldwide!   Rolling Stone touted band as the heavy-metal kings of the 70s

Legacy-- Devil Hands

Legacy!   Metallica inducts Black Sabbath into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 –  Ulrich: "Black Sabbath is and always will be synonymous with heavy metal“ –  Hetfield: "Sabbath got me started on all that evil-sounding shit, and its stuck with me. Tony Iommi is the king of the heavy riff.“!   Guns N Roses guitarist Slash said of the Paranoid album: –  "Theres just something about that whole record that, when youre a kid and youre turned onto it, its like a whole different world. It just opens up your mind to another dimension...Paranoid is the whole Sabbath experience; very indicative of what Sabbath meant at the time.!   Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian: –  "I always get the question, What are your top five metal albums? I make it easy for myself and always say the first five Sabbath albums

Plan B’s Take! Album Kicks Ass!  ! Great album experience  ! 15+ album plays since purchase  ! Loved the down-tuned guitar before   learning what that was!   Instrumentation creates “Musical Multiplier”!   Appreciation for innovation and success despite mainstream media!   What’s with the British angst in the 70’s?

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Black Sabbath, Paranoid

by mcshan on Apr 16, 2011

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Black Sabbath, Paranoid — Presentation Transcript