News Latest News from Ultimate-Guitar.Com. en-US Copyright 1998-2026 Ultimate-Guitar.Com. All rights reserved. https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/modules/rss/news.xml.php?artist=1898 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 01:47:06 -0400 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 22:02:02 -0400 60 Ultimate-Guitar.Com https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/static/_img/logo_trans.png https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/modules/rss/news.xml.php?artist=1898 144 44 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/bill-ward-never-played-paranoid-the-same-way-twice-i-wouldnt-know-how-to-he-says-most-of-black-sabbaths-show-was-improvisation https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/bill-ward-never-played-paranoid-the-same-way-twice-i-wouldnt-know-how-to-he-says-most-of-black-sabbaths-show-was-improvisation Music News: Ward also named one of his all-time Black Sabbath favorite songs, which he described as "just absolutely pinnacle metal."]]> Thu, 11 Jun 2026 01:47:06 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/tab_spotlight/slash-named-it-the-heaviest-ever-how-tony-iommi-used-chromatic-tension-to-make-sabbath-bloody-sabbath-riff-feel-unresolved https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/tab_spotlight/slash-named-it-the-heaviest-ever-how-tony-iommi-used-chromatic-tension-to-make-sabbath-bloody-sabbath-riff-feel-unresolved Tab Spotlight: Slash called it the heaviest riff of all time, but it isn't too complicated to learn, and will provide you with some valuable lessons.]]> Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:01:30 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/zakk-wylde-ozzy-thought-black-sabbath-peaked-at-sabbath-bloody-sabbath-but-geezer-butler-chose-master-of-reality-as-the-perfect-representation https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/zakk-wylde-ozzy-thought-black-sabbath-peaked-at-sabbath-bloody-sabbath-but-geezer-butler-chose-master-of-reality-as-the-perfect-representation Music News: The guitar icon also recalled how Ozzy couldn't believe he actually liked "Never Say Die!"]]> Tue, 02 Jun 2026 04:02:01 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/black-sabbaths-earth-demos-are-back-in-the-bands-hands-and-theyre-deciding-what-to-do-with-them https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/black-sabbaths-earth-demos-are-back-in-the-bands-hands-and-theyre-deciding-what-to-do-with-them Music News: "We settled with Jim Simpson and the band now have their demos back," Sharon Osbourne said.]]> Sat, 25 Apr 2026 08:08:44 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/tony-iommi-never-invented-heavy-metal-black-sabbath-was-just-his-best-assembly-job-186101 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/tony-iommi-never-invented-heavy-metal-black-sabbath-was-just-his-best-assembly-job-186101 Features: "I was trying to play 'Mars.' Then the next day, Tony went in and played the riff from 'Black Sabbath.'"]]> Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:21:00 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/tab_spotlight/when-death-calls-features-one-of-tony-iommis-most-underrated-riffs-it-can-teach-you-how-to-control-your-muting https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/tab_spotlight/when-death-calls-features-one-of-tony-iommis-most-underrated-riffs-it-can-teach-you-how-to-control-your-muting Tab Spotlight: "When Death Calls" is a lesson in mastering dynamics which will also teach you about pedal notes and legato endings - a perfect first step to playing serious heavy metal]]> Wed, 08 Apr 2026 19:58:38 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/black-sabbaths-geezer-butler-is-a-hero-to-many-but-he-always-thought-of-himself-as-a-very-average-player-tony-iommi-and-bill-ward-taught-me-how-to-play https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/black-sabbaths-geezer-butler-is-a-hero-to-many-but-he-always-thought-of-himself-as-a-very-average-player-tony-iommi-and-bill-ward-taught-me-how-to-play Music News: "They really gave me a lot of encouragement, and I owe it to them, really."]]> Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:37:51 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/jack-osbourne-explains-why-tony-iommi-reprimanding-ozzy-was-essential-for-black-sabbaths-final-show--and-their-relationship-he-said-hey-youre-singing-flat https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/jack-osbourne-explains-why-tony-iommi-reprimanding-ozzy-was-essential-for-black-sabbaths-final-show--and-their-relationship-he-said-hey-youre-singing-flat Music News: "I was like, 'No, I think it's a good thing.'"]]> Sun, 22 Feb 2026 05:58:57 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/creepiest-thing-hed-ever-heard-how-a-pop-cover-of-the-song-black-sabbath-wrote-in-a-haunted-castle-had-ozzy-spooked-beyond-words https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/creepiest-thing-hed-ever-heard-how-a-pop-cover-of-the-song-black-sabbath-wrote-in-a-haunted-castle-had-ozzy-spooked-beyond-words Music News: "Ozzy came to see us in Los Angeles and said it was the creepiest thing he'd ever heard, which coming from him is the biggest compliment."]]> Sun, 08 Feb 2026 01:43:31 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/retrospective/the-pot-calling-the-kettle-black-how-ozzy-really-felt-about-tony-iommi-firing-him-from-black-sabbath-and-the-album-he-thought-marked-the-end https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/retrospective/the-pot-calling-the-kettle-black-how-ozzy-really-felt-about-tony-iommi-firing-him-from-black-sabbath-and-the-album-he-thought-marked-the-end Retrospective: "We were just living on a name [afterward]."]]> Sat, 07 Feb 2026 20:02:03 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/music/heres-your-money-now-p-ss-off-geezer-butler-on-how-black-sabbath-shocked-an-audience-of-old-women-and-old-men-and-why-he-left-home-before-bands-debut https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/music/heres-your-money-now-p-ss-off-geezer-butler-on-how-black-sabbath-shocked-an-audience-of-old-women-and-old-men-and-why-he-left-home-before-bands-debut Music: "I sort of preempted them and left home [laughs]."]]> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 07:31:34 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/tab_spotlight/no-one-expected-a-piano-ballad-but-it-worked-now-that-a-cover-won-a-grammy-you-can-do-a-guitar-arrangement https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/tab_spotlight/no-one-expected-a-piano-ballad-but-it-worked-now-that-a-cover-won-a-grammy-you-can-do-a-guitar-arrangement Tab Spotlight: Black Sabbath's "Changes" could be an accessible entry point for guitarists, and the Grammy-winning version by Yungblud is a masterclass in restraint from Nuno Bettencourt.]]> Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:45:04 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/this-80s-albums-failure-wasnt-due-to-bad-music-black-sabbaths-unfortunate-record-and-what-made-it-flop-184826 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/this-80s-albums-failure-wasnt-due-to-bad-music-black-sabbaths-unfortunate-record-and-what-made-it-flop-184826 Features: "But his manager, Don Arden, Sharon's father, insisted we call it Black Sabbath."]]> Fri, 30 Jan 2026 16:37:48 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/it-was-mainly-tony-iommi-geezer-butler-opens-up-on-black-sabbaths-final-album-and-the-chaos-that-ensued-after-he-amp-ozzy-started-working-on-lyrics https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/it-was-mainly-tony-iommi-geezer-butler-opens-up-on-black-sabbaths-final-album-and-the-chaos-that-ensued-after-he-amp-ozzy-started-working-on-lyrics Music News: "In the end, I don't even understand what I was writing."]]> Tue, 27 Jan 2026 02:01:21 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/retrospective/it-went-whacking-up-the-charts-the-song-that-changed-ozzy-osbournes-career https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/retrospective/it-went-whacking-up-the-charts-the-song-that-changed-ozzy-osbournes-career Retrospective: "We hadn't got enough time to finish the album."]]> Sun, 25 Jan 2026 16:24:47 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/music/i-still-dont-know-what-it-represents-geezer-butler-says-this-black-sabbath-album-cover-is-worst-ever-recalls-how-everybody-hated-sabbath-at-first https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/music/i-still-dont-know-what-it-represents-geezer-butler-says-this-black-sabbath-album-cover-is-worst-ever-recalls-how-everybody-hated-sabbath-at-first Music: "We would read all these terrible reviews and think, 'Oh, God, we must be terrible.'"]]> Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:02:03 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-got-my-head-blown-off-alex-van-halen-recalls-seeing-bill-ward-and-black-sabbath-for-the-first-time https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-got-my-head-blown-off-alex-van-halen-recalls-seeing-bill-ward-and-black-sabbath-for-the-first-time Music News: "Bill was hammering the kick drums."]]> Tue, 13 Jan 2026 12:43:41 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/they-dont-even-know-were-there-but-were-screaming-wild-this-was-the-most-hair-raising-moment-from-black-sabbaths-final-show-according-to-tom-morello https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/they-dont-even-know-were-there-but-were-screaming-wild-this-was-the-most-hair-raising-moment-from-black-sabbaths-final-show-according-to-tom-morello Music News: "They don't even know we're there, but we're screaming wild at the back of the stadium, giving it up one last time for our heroes."]]> Fri, 09 Jan 2026 23:44:50 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/so-ozzy-gets-completely-p---ed-and-geezer-butler-recalls-black-sabbaths-best-ever-spinal-tap-moment https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/so-ozzy-gets-completely-p---ed-and-geezer-butler-recalls-black-sabbaths-best-ever-spinal-tap-moment Music News: "...and the American tourists are going, 'What the hell have we let ourselves into?'"]]> Fri, 09 Jan 2026 01:43:35 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-shall-definitely-definitely-have-my-solo-album-out-tony-iommi-gives-update-on-new-solo-album-reflects-on-black-sabbath-celebration https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-shall-definitely-definitely-have-my-solo-album-out-tony-iommi-gives-update-on-new-solo-album-reflects-on-black-sabbath-celebration Music News: "All Birmingham became sort of a Sabbath city."]]> Fri, 02 Jan 2026 16:14:10 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/nobody-can-prove-it-or-disprove-it-what-really-happened-with-black-sabbath-and-led-zeppelin-jam-recordings-author-reveals https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/nobody-can-prove-it-or-disprove-it-what-really-happened-with-black-sabbath-and-led-zeppelin-jam-recordings-author-reveals Music News: "I didn't know anything about that supposed 'Black Zeppelin,' Geezer told me about it."]]> Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:53:17 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/rare-footage-of-black-sabbath-performing-with-a-different-singer-in-the-70s-unearthed-it-features-an-early-version-of-deep-cut https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/rare-footage-of-black-sabbath-performing-with-a-different-singer-in-the-70s-unearthed-it-features-an-early-version-of-deep-cut Music News: To be honest, he could have been a pretty good fit.]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2025 17:49:49 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/sharon-osbourne-addresses-ex-sabbath-managers-false-claims-about-lost-tapes-refused-to-let-black-sabbath-hear-the-recordings-that-he-claims-are-his https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/sharon-osbourne-addresses-ex-sabbath-managers-false-claims-about-lost-tapes-refused-to-let-black-sabbath-hear-the-recordings-that-he-claims-are-his Music News: "Mr. Simpson may claim that he invited me to have coffee with him on 4 July 2025 but I was out of contact, which he well knew, as I was at Villa Park at soundcheck all day."]]> Sun, 16 Nov 2025 04:02:02 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/geezer-butler-opens-up-on-his-relationship-with-black-sabbath-bandmates-reflects-on-ozzy-being-determined-to-play-one-last-show https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/geezer-butler-opens-up-on-his-relationship-with-black-sabbath-bandmates-reflects-on-ozzy-being-determined-to-play-one-last-show Music News: "It's just a shame that he went so quickly after it."]]> Sat, 15 Nov 2025 23:03:50 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/inaccurate-and-potentially-defamatory-ex-sabbath-manager-responds-to-sharon-osbournes-accusations-over-releasing-bands-lost-tapes https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/inaccurate-and-potentially-defamatory-ex-sabbath-manager-responds-to-sharon-osbournes-accusations-over-releasing-bands-lost-tapes Music News: "I approached members of the band about this on 24 September 2024. The message I got back was that they didn't want it released and wanted nothing to do with it. This included two very threatening e-mails from Sharon."]]> Sat, 15 Nov 2025 08:02:05 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/critics-hated-it-and-yet-it-reshaped-rock-music-you-and-taylor-swift-could-learn-from-this-revered-album-182891 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/critics-hated-it-and-yet-it-reshaped-rock-music-you-and-taylor-swift-could-learn-from-this-revered-album-182891 Features: Do critics and album reviews even matter at this point? ]]> Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:26:37 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/retrospective/the-music-was-as-important-but-why-dio-really-decided-to-join-black-sabbath-and-how-it-happened https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/retrospective/the-music-was-as-important-but-why-dio-really-decided-to-join-black-sabbath-and-how-it-happened Retrospective: "That's the easiest way to create good music - if you're happy. And I'm happy now, I'm just glad it all came about."]]> Sun, 02 Nov 2025 09:33:07 -0500 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/retrospective/not-me-trying-to-show-i-can-sing-better-than-ozzy-what-dio-really-thought-of-singing-sabbaths-ozzy-era-songs-and-ozzys-solo-success https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/retrospective/not-me-trying-to-show-i-can-sing-better-than-ozzy-what-dio-really-thought-of-singing-sabbaths-ozzy-era-songs-and-ozzys-solo-success Retrospective: "I think it's something that really had to be done."]]> Sat, 25 Oct 2025 03:08:32 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-was-just-shocked-to-see-him-like-that-geezer-butler-on-ozzys-state-at-black-sabbaths-back-to-the-beginning-rehearsals https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/i-was-just-shocked-to-see-him-like-that-geezer-butler-on-ozzys-state-at-black-sabbaths-back-to-the-beginning-rehearsals Music News: "I knew Ozzy was very ill, but I didn't realize how ill he was."]]> Thu, 23 Oct 2025 03:02:02 -0400 https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/retrospective/what-really-made-bill-ward-leave-black-sabbath-after-heaven--hell-and-why-the-band-couldnt-afford-to-wait-for-him-it-was-quite-a-blow-to-him https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/retrospective/what-really-made-bill-ward-leave-black-sabbath-after-heaven--hell-and-why-the-band-couldnt-afford-to-wait-for-him-it-was-quite-a-blow-to-him Retrospective: "That was the band's kind of 'rocking for the ashes,' so to speak."]]> Wed, 22 Oct 2025 22:02:02 -0400