Black Sabbath’s status as rock pioneers is undeniable. If we exclude The Beatles, it’s fair to say that Sabbath stands as the most significant musical act Britain has ever produced. However, their journey was not without challenges, and not every moment was smooth sailing.
Fronted by the charismatic Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath spearheaded a groundbreaking sound that was heavier than anything before.
Their self-titled debut album in 1970 shattered conventions and commanded attention, showcasing four seemingly ordinary gentlemen from Birmingham.
As the years went by, the band’s popularity skyrocketed, and they became more experienced in the studio, honing their unique heavy metal sound.
Their global tours were filled with debauchery, but by the late 1970s, the band’s shine began to fade. One particular album from this era stands out as a source of shame for Osbourne, marking a tumultuous chapter in his life.
In late 1977, tensions within Black Sabbath reached a boiling point. While rehearsing for their next record, the situation escalated, and Osbourne dramatically walked out just before they were set to enter the studio for their eighth album.
His departure left the group in crisis as they scrambled to find a new singer. Guitarist Tony Iommi quickly reached out to vocalist Dave Walker, a longtime friend, who was eager to join. Walker flew from California to Birmingham to rehearse with the band.
Unfortunately, Walker’s time with Black Sabbath was short-lived. He made only one live appearance with the group, performing an early version of “Junior’s Eyes” on BBC Television’s Look! Hear in January 1978.
During a chance encounter at a pub in Birmingham, Walker realized that Osbourne might not be completely finished with the band, despite having left.
While Walker attempted to write lyrics for the band, none were accepted, as the remaining members seemed to be waiting for Osbourne’s return.
Reflecting on that period, Osbourne later admitted, “The last Sabbath albums were just very depressing for me… I was doing it for the sake of what we could get out of the record company.”
He felt disconnected from the music, only in it for the sake of the record deal.
Initially, Osbourne aimed to form a solo project with former members of Dirty Tricks, rehearsing in January 1978. However, after seeing his old bandmates perform on TV without him, he had a change of heart and wanted to return to Black Sabbath.
“Three days before we were due to go into the studio, Ozzy wanted to come back to the band,” Iommi explained.
However, the band faced difficulties as Osbourne refused to sing any of the material written during Walker’s brief tenure, leaving them with no songs.
The recording process became a frantic scramble, with the band writing in the mornings to rehearse and record at night.
With Osbourne back, they traveled to Toronto and spent five grueling months at Sounds Interchange Studios creating the album Never Say Die. The lengthy production highlighted the discord within the band. Iommi later remarked, “We were getting really drugged out… Nobody could get anything right; we were all over the place.”
Osbourne detested Never Say Die and wished it had never been released. He famously called it “the worst piece of work that I’ve ever had anything to do with” and felt ashamed of the album.
In his memoir, I Am Ozzy, he recalled, “It was obvious things had changed, especially between me and Tony. I don’t think anyone’s heart was in it anymore.”
Reflecting on their collective state of mind during this tumultuous time, Osbourne stated, “We were just a fucking bunch of guys drowning in the fucking ocean.”
The band’s struggles culminated in Osbourne being fired the following year, a decision made to preserve Black Sabbath’s future.
Although he eventually returned to the band decades later, Never Say Die remains a painful reminder of the breakdown of a once-unbreakable bond.
