How Black Was Our Sabbath: An Unauthorized View from the Crew

by David Tangye, Graham Wright

During the seventies, David Tangye and Graham Wright were part of the Black Sabbath crew—and they have the stories to prove it. As the group grew in fame and notoriety, incidents of bad behavior mounted alarmingly. Whether it's Geezer's lyrical journeys into the underworld or the gun-obsessed Ozzy Osbourne at home in Atrocity Cottage, this is Sabbath as you've never known them before. A real-life Spinal Tap, this is a warm, funny tribute to four mates from Birmingham who became the biggest heavy rock band in the world.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction

236 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

Reviews

[Andrew Garvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very pleasant surprise since I'd been expecting a superficial collection of drinking anecdotes but what I actually got was a serious attempt (within some obviously self-imposed restrictions) to write a biography of Sabbath's earliest years, from their first gigs all the way to Ozzy leaving the band. Comparing this to Mick Wall's own (excellent) book and to Geezer's autobiography, it feels like what's here is largely correct. The only thing that stands out as being flat out wrong is the claim that 'War Pigs' wasn't about the Vietnam War. Geezer is absolutely clear that Vietnam is exactly what inspired him to write the lyrics.

There's some great, entertaining stories in here, as well as an insight into the life of the road crew. What there isn't is much in the way of studio insight, or of the mounting animosity within the band. This is understandable since, for the most part, the authors weren't there during album recordings and the band kept their problems with each other as much to themselves as they could. Also, while the book may well be 'unauthorised' that doesn't mean there's any attempt to flog it on the back of any salaciously damaging gossip. The picture that emerges is of four decent (Osbourne's cruelty to animals aside), hardworking and talented musicians doing their best to make great music with their mates.

[East Bay J · Rating 4 out of 5]

How Black Was Our Sabbath was written by two members of Sabbath's road crew, guys who were with them through the early days and during the time Sabbath made their best music, in my opinion. That means the stories in this book are from an insider's point of view. And what stories they are! If you ever wanted to know what big, bad Black Sabbath got up to in their free time or some inside info on how they got their start, this is the book. Because these guys were tight with the band, the photos included in the book are amazing and often a little odd. The shots from 1968 are classic. The quotes from Bill Ward, as usual, are exceptional. If you love old Sabbath like I do, you will thoroughly enjoy How Black Was Our Sabbath.

[Emma Silver · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually like biog's to be juicy but this is more of a love letter to Black Sabbath from people who worked with the band, are genuine fans, and really care about their old employers. Three stars might be harsh but I really did enjoy it. It was more of a merry stroll through the band's history and there were some really funny parts (usually courtesy of Ozzy's antics of course!). Would recommend to any Sabbath fan.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best Black Sabbath books I've read. It provides the reader with some personal background regarding each member and moves at a fairly comfortable pace. This book may not be the best introduction for non-Sabbath freaks, but if you are a die hard fan of the band, then I would check it out.

[Miguel Rivas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hay, principalmente, dos tipos de libros con contenido musical.
Por un lado, los que están escritos por periodistas. Profesionales con total acceso a la cara pública de los artistas a través de archivos de prensa, bases de datos y todo ese material, incluso con la posibilidad de compartir con los protagonistas de sus libros períodos de tiempo y kilómetros de carretera, consiguiendo así una perspectiva notablemente acertada de lo que la banda es y de cómo funciona.

El otro tipo de libro es el escrito por músicos y/o personas de su entorno, categoría en la que metemos tanto a gropuies y managers como a productores o roadies.

Es fácil pensar que los primeros libros de los que hablamos en primer lugar podrían ser más completos en su contenido y fiables en los datos que aporten. Sin embargo, no les falta un lado negativo, y es que en medio de esa relación músico periodista, suele haber intereses creados. No digo que ocurra siempre, pero la industria paga la publicidad que se inserta en las revistas donde escriben esos periodistas, por lo que resulta difícil evitar cierto condicionamiento.

Esto sin embargo, no ocurre en la segunda categoría, donde si hay algún compromiso es de tipo sentimental, algo bastante más interesante y humano (sea para bien o no) que el compromiso material. Quizá sea esa la razón de que “How Black was our Sabbath” sea un libro tan bonito.

Escrito por dos personas (David Tangye y Graham Wright) que fueron parte de la vida del grupo de una forma muy directa, recorre la vida y ‘milagros’ de BLACK SABBATH desde sus inicios en la década de los 60, hasta el abandono definitivo de Ozzy a las puertas de los años 80.
Cuenta además con un plus, y es que sus páginas no solo pasan por relatar las aventuras de los músicos, si no que hacen un recorrido paralelo por las andanzas de los roadies, conductores, electricistas, montadores y, en fin, todo el personal que hace funcionar a la máquina. No en vano, los Tangye y Wright fueron durante casi todo aquel tiempo asistentes personales de Ozzy Osbourne y Bill Ward respectivamente, lo que les permitió estar arriba y abajo del escenario, mientras se preparaba el show y después de que este terminase.

Las anécdotas (delirantes en su mayoría) se cuentan por docenas, y los detalles de cómo la banda trabajaba tanto sobre el escenario como en los estudios, está perfectamente relatada. Tiene partes un poco morbosas, algo inevitable en un grupo como este, pero en general, está escrito desde una perspectiva muy cercana que deja claro que había un gran ambiente en el grupo, pese a todos los problemas tanto internos como ajenos a la banda y que, por cierto, eran de unas dimensiones realmente serias.

La edición que yo tengo es bastante pobre, similar a la típica de “libro de bolsillo”, lo que lo convierte en un libro caro, teniendo en cuenta que hay que pedirlo fuera de España y pagar la tarifa de Correos correspondiente. Las fotos son como ves, e n blanco y negro, pero bueno, personalmente, preferiría libros sin fotos que fuesen más baratos. Soy de la opinión de que para ver fotos están las revistas.

Por lo demás, solo puedo recomendar su lectura sin ninguna duda.

[Aled Owen-Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember finding this book hilarious the first time I read it, but now having read it several years later it hasn't made the same impact.

Basically it's written by members of Sabbath's road crew who were with them in the 70's when they released their classic albums, it's Sabbath's story from the road crew's perspective. Which means it's light on insights (the band keeping their internal problems to themselves), but where it makes up for this is with plenty of funny anecdotes. Ozzy's antics and Iommi's practical jokes particularly.

The book comes to an end at the point where Ozzy leaves to be replaced by Dio, so the book covers the 70's era only. But this is the book's strength as you get an idea of the camaraderie that existed before the business side changed the dynamic (not just with the band but the industry in general). Also you get to read quite a lot about Ozzy's first wife Thelma who is normally glossed over, which lends to a sense of John Osbourne from Birmingham before he became Ozzy Osbourne the international star.

Worth a read if you're a Sabbath fan only.

[Benjamin Kahn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'll preface this by saying that I read this a long time ago and am writing this review more on my lasting impressions of the book rather than specific memories. One of the first Sabbath bios I'd ever read and written by two former members of the road crew, I was very disappointed in it in the end. Not much insight into the band members or really great stories on the road, it seemed like they wanted to write the book without pissing anybody off. Job accomplished, but it was done without really providing much insight or interest. Disappointing.

[The Bauchler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skim read this and cherry picked passages that seemed interesting, so the rating only applies to the stuff i actually read.

What I read was informative and, as far as I could tell, accurate.

It is an affectionate look at the band's past and not an expose.

I'd have devoured at if i'd read it 20 years ago.

[Andrew Henry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Need to be a fanatical follower of black sabbath or Ozzy to take anything away from this book.

[Tom Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having been a Black Sabbath fan for coming up to 20 years, I know the story really well, which a lot of this was, but it was fun getting all the extra little insider stories. Great read for fans.

[Chrisinspace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't contain the kind of "dirt" that I was hoping for, and it reads like it was written by a couple of former employees who would rather pat their bosses on the back than reveal any sort of incriminating stories. That said, it's a pretty intimate account of travelling with the band from an employee perspective, and somewhere along the way through you start to realize that touring with a headlining act in the 1970s compared with current times was quite a different ball game, if for nothing else than the lack of industry support for simple things like catering at venues. For this reason alone, young bands should read this book.

Worth a read for Sabbath fans, but don't expect a tell-all.

[Denis Farley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ozzie, like David Crosby was fired, sort of, from a successful but clearly past it's 'pop' prime band but managed to find still greater triumphs and success, eclipsing his former mates and band. I bought their first album but wasn't a big fan and still to this day have not seen one of their live shows, to include Oz Fest. I did see the TV show and wasn't thrilled but do get a kick out of the Cinderella nature of many of Rock's heros.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this in a boxset for £5: This biography comes from the crew, not an official autobiographer which provides an interest view to their live performances as well as recording sessions. It also shows the band members from a real outside perspective throughout their career from the initial pioneering success of 'Black Sabbath' and 'Paranoid' to the firing of Ozzy Osbourne and the substance abuse that tore the original line up apart. Heavy Metal fans will love this :)

[Titus Hjelm · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is some nice Sabbath trivia here, but overall the book lacks a narrative arc and becomes list-like very soon.

[Dignan107 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight into Black Sabbath, provides behind the scene info from a roadie's perspective.

[Kyla Squires · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but not the best rock bio out there.

[William Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good narrative of the rise of Black Sabbath.

[Sashko Liutyj · Rating 4 out of 5]

дуже цікава штука: величезна кількість смішних моментів, невигаданих фантастичних історій, божевілля. мало музики)

[Mark Bult · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could give this 4.5 stars instead of 4.

[Augusto Delgado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black and heavy, indeed; with motherloads of snowblind.