BLACK SABBATH:

Unlike most of its predecessors who focused on sophisticated displays of instrumental dominance and high-concept songwriting, Black Sabbath broke it down to a filthy, excruciating, primordial bang held together by Ozzy Osbourne’s manipulation of pop hooks. The Birmingham quartet’s early works were victories of minimalist songwriting and composing with the bare essentials of rock. Black Sabbath has been so influential in the development of heavy metal rock music as to be a defining force in the style.

In Europe in early 1969, they decided to change their name again when they found that they were being mistaken for another group called Earth. Butler had written a song that took its title from a novel by occult writer Dennis Wheatley, Black Sabbath, and the group adopted it as their name as well. As they attracted attention for their live performances, record labels showed interest, and they were signed to Phillips Records in 1969. In January 1970, the Phillips subsidiary Fontana released their debut single, "Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games With Me),"

Master of Reality, the third album, followed in August 1971, reaching the Top Ten on both sides of the Atlantic and selling over a million copies. Black Sabbath, Vol. 4 (September 1972) was another Top Ten million-seller. For Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (November 1973), the band brought in Yes keyboard player Rick Wakeman on one track, signaling a slight change in musical direction; it was Black Sabbath's fifth straight Top Ten hit and million-seller and the pinnacle of the band’s history.

Ozzy Osbourne's frustration eventually led to his quitting the band in November 1977.