Black Sabbath Author Comments On Lawsuit

posted May 30, 2009 at 6:07 AM by Diamond Oz. (23 Comments)

Band Photo: Ozzy Osbourne (?)

Joel Gausten, the author of the book "The Sabbath Interviews," has given his opinion on the upcoming lawsuit between singer Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Tony Iommi. It reads as follows:

"So, the internet is exploding with talk of Ozzy's suit against Iommi. As a massive Black Sabbath fan who's had the honor of interviewing several past and present members over the years, I can't resist commenting on this.

For what it's worth:

"Ozzy seeking 50% ownership of a band name he had nothing to do with for 16 years is asinine. As someone who loves the post-Ozzy stuff (like The Eternal Idol) as much, if not often more, than the first eight albums, I'd have to say that the TRUE spirit of Black Sabbath will always be with Iommi.

"Also, let's not forget the stellar talent who performed in Sabbath in the post-Ozzy years - especially the great Bob Daisley, Eric Singer, Tony Martin and the late Cozy Powell. They were kicking ass and keeping the band going while Ozzy, Geezer and Bill were doing their own thing. These folks were and remain as vital to Sabbath's history than the original four.

"And speaking of Bill... here's a guy who GIVES the money earned by the sale of his CDs to charity. Here's a guy who - despite the fact that he was partly responsible for creating Metal as we know it - never once forgot that, deep down, he's just a working class guy from Aston.

"If you're a Sabbath fan who FELT every single word of 'Killing Yourself To Live', knew what 'What is this that stands before me?' REALLY meant and understood the human spirit behind 'War Pigs', then skip the nonsense spewing on the Internet and go straight to www.billward.com and get a copy of Bill's CD, Straws."

"Some of the money from that CD goes to maintain the cleanliness of the Vietnam Memorial, among other good things.

"Maybe Bill's friend should learn by example."

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23 Comments on "Black Sabbath Author Comments On Lawsuit"

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1. wilco writes:

kids why dont we get along
and move on in life

# May 30, 2009 @ 7:07 AM ET | IP Logged

Member

2. SHREDDER13 writes:

^ Indeed Wilco, Indeed

\,,l "Beyond The Realms of Death" by Priest l,,/

# May 30, 2009 @ 7:19 AM ET | IP Logged

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3. That_One_Guy writes:

Well said, wilco. I'm getting sick of this story already.

# May 30, 2009 @ 11:23 AM ET | IP Logged

4. Chris TMC writes:

Good commentary

# May 30, 2009 @ 12:06 PM ET | IP Logged

5. Luciam91 writes:

Kinda getting sick of this >;_>;

I mean, Ozzy left for ages so yeah; i understand if he wants part copyright in the sh** that has old school Sabbath yes.

But as was said; Bill just gives to charity, Ozzy is just a money grabbing c**t

# May 30, 2009 @ 4:14 PM ET | IP Logged

6. spiral_architect writes:

tony iommi is black sabbath! ozzy deserves 1/4 profit from the albums he sang on, and also when his likeness is used under the black sabbath name. some of the other sabbath singers (i.e. ronnie james dio, ian gillan) were actually better vocalists...........it is great bill ward gives some of his money to worthwhile causes. let's not condemn ozzy on this matter, because he may be quietly giving to good causes and charities too.

# May 30, 2009 @ 4:46 PM ET | IP Logged

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7. bbristowe writes:

f*** Ozzy, he should get didley squat. He left the band to promote his own career. Shove it up your a$$ your degenerate twat!!!!

# May 30, 2009 @ 5:00 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

8. utoad9 writes:

Hey Ozz...let's not further tarnish your legacy. 50% ? Gimme a break!

# May 30, 2009 @ 5:01 PM ET | IP Logged

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9. bbristowe writes:

^ Deja vous ?

# May 30, 2009 @ 6:12 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

10. bbristowe writes:

aw damnit. Vu....

# May 30, 2009 @ 6:12 PM ET | IP Logged

11. That one guy writes:

bbristowe -- Actually Ozzy was kicked out of Sabbath.

# May 31, 2009 @ 1:23 AM ET | IP Logged

12. RTB writes:

50%?....fahq man thats a ridiculous
BB needs lay off that pee water, i am infected by your stupidity

# May 31, 2009 @ 5:59 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

13. bbristowe writes:

"bbristowe -- Actually Ozzy was kicked out of Sabbath."

Really, I only got my "facts" from Wikipedia. Ozzy being kicked out would make more sense I guess.

# May 31, 2009 @ 6:09 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

14. brandedcfh420 writes:

Ozzy does not deserve any royalties from anything sabbath did after they kicked ozzy out of the band.

# May 31, 2009 @ 6:21 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

15. brandedcfh420 writes:

Im posting on my cell phone. Still offline with my pc.

# May 31, 2009 @ 6:23 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

16. wilco writes:

hey branded
whats happening did not see you for a long time
gonna look now at the metallica thing see what you said
bro good to see ya

# May 31, 2009 @ 6:25 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

17. brandedcfh420 writes:

Yo wilco. I am not commenting in the metallica threads right now. Am using my cell phone. Its slow and when im back online with my pc ill be back in full force making the metalli:fanboys mad as hell.

# May 31, 2009 @ 7:04 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

18. That_One_Guy writes:

bbristowe -- Personally I'd take anything I learn from Wikipedia with a grain of salt.

# May 31, 2009 @ 10:36 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

19. Fuck_A_Name writes:

^but wikipedia has a whole page outlining the fact that everything on wikipedia is true and infalliable. How can it not be right when it says it is right there on the page?

oh no wait, thats the bible.

AWKWARD.....

# May 31, 2009 @ 10:42 PM ET | IP Logged

20. Manny Mann writes:

No dude, the bible is true because some rich preacher in houston and some fat housewife in oregon says it is. But yeah Ozzy's wife needs to give it up with all this money grabbing b. s. It gets old and the Prince of Darkness he ain't.

# Jun 1, 2009 @ 5:14 AM ET | IP Logged

21. stan90210 writes:

Lets face it do a word association with "Sabbath" and you will get "Ozzy" in response 9 out of 10 times. Iommi has been keeping all the merchandise profits to himself for years. He even sued Ozzfest for copyright infringement.

# Jun 3, 2009 @ 12:04 PM ET | IP Logged

Member

22. Crucify_The_Whore writes:

Fvck, hasn't Ozzy got enough money? Hes doing advertisements for World of Warcraft for Gods sake! Anyways, neither of them actually came up with the name. Across the street from where they stayed was a theatre performing the show "Black Sabbath" and thats where the idea came from. (I believe so anyway, if theres any variations just say)

# Jun 3, 2009 @ 5:07 PM ET | IP Logged

Senior News Correspondent

23. Diamond Oz writes:

Yeah, when they were still called Earth they used to rehearse across the road from a cinema and one day Geezer saw people queing up to see the Boris Karloff film, Black Sabbath and when he arrived at the rehearsal space he said, "Isn't it funny how people will pay money to be scared?" And that's where the idea to become a dark and "evil" band came from too.

# Jun 3, 2009 @ 8:47 PM ET | IP Logged

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