BREAKING: Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi S…read more.
Tony Iommi has recently shed light on the difficult decision to remove Ozzy Osbourne from Black Sabbath, stating that it wasn’t a personal choice but a collective one made by the entire band. Speaking candidly, Iommi explained that the group had reached a critical point where they had to choose between disbanding or continuing without their longtime frontman.
“It wasn’t just me who decided to let Ozzy go,” Iommi said. “The whole band agreed. We either had to split up or move on without him.” The band was facing mounting challenges in the late 1970s, including heavy drug use, lack of productivity, and strained relationships. These issues were putting the future of the band in serious jeopardy.
Ozzy Osbourne had been a defining figure in Black Sabbath since its formation in the late ’60s. His voice and persona helped shape the sound and image of the band, making them pioneers of heavy metal. However, years of excessive partying had begun to impact both his health and his contributions to the band’s progress.
Eventually, the group brought in Ronnie James Dio as Ozzy’s replacement, marking the start of a new chapter. With Dio, Black Sabbath saw a creative resurgence and released *Heaven and Hell* in 1980, an album that re-established their status in the metal scene.
Although Ozzy’s departure was controversial, Iommi emphasized that the decision was vital for the band’s survival. “We had to think about what was best for the group,” he said. “At that time, continuing with Ozzy just wasn’t an option if we wanted to keep going.”
