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Black Sabbath 1970–1980  

Details of every UK release by Black Sabbath from their debut in 1970 to the final studio album in 1978 along with the several ‘unauthorised’ exploitation releases by their ex-management during the 1970s and up to 1980 – essential reading for all collectors of Sabbath vinyl.

With exclusive interviews and contributions from Black Sabbath’s first manager, Jim Simpson; the man who founded Vertigo records, Olav Wyper; and the creative director for ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’, Ernie Cefalu.

From very humble beginnings in 1968, four musicians from Aston in Birmingham quickly evolved their blues rock music into the heaviest and most satanic sounds of the early 1970s.

Despite their massive popularity with both record sales and concert attendances, Sabbath were mercilessly exploited by their management in the mid-70s. 

Battling drug and drink addictions and numerous legal actions along the way, Sabbath plodded on through the decade with some of the heaviest riffs ever committed to tape, but also experimented with orchestras, choirs, synthesisers and even brass sections – eventually causing the final breakup of the band’s original line-up after years of internal frustrations.

With unwavering commitment from the group’s de-facto leader, guitarist Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath soldiered on and on. The brand that was Sabbath continued to fly the heavy metal banner, with Iommi the only constant factor throughout the decades.

Line-ups changed, singers, bassists and drummers came and went until, eventually the original foursome reunited, initially for a few festival shows, and then finally for a long awaited studio album – their first together for 35 years, and their most successful (in chart success) since their second LP in 1970.

Of the triumvirate of British rock legends Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, only the latter has managed to keep the bandwagon rolling virtually non-stop since their inauguration.

Here is their history on vinyl of the classic, original line-up and the details of the rarest and most collectable first pressings issued in the UK between 1970 and 1980.