Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has recalled the time a “lunatic” threatened to “sacrifice” guitarist Tony Iommi at their Nashville live performance.
The heavy metallic band – which was fronted by Ozzy Osbourne on the time – had been identified for his or her satanic imagery, which did not go down effectively with Geezer’s “strict Catholic” father, and a few Individuals.
In an interview with Reader’s Digest, he recalled: “My dad wasn’t very happy when he noticed the inverted cross on the sleeve of our first album. However, usually, no person within the UK or Europe cared that a lot about our Satanic imagery.
“Within the US, although, folks would threaten us and switch up at our gigs with crosses and bibles. In Nashville, somebody jumped on stage and went for Tony with a knife. Thankfully, Tony had rotated to kick his defective amp at that time, noticed the attacker and obtained out of the best way.
“The police arrested the attacker, although we don’t know what occurred to him. However he wished to sacrifice Tony. Lunatic.”
His spiritual upbringing did not cease Geezer – who has simply launched his tell-all memoir ‘Into the Void: From Beginning to Black Sabbath – and Past’ – from crossing over to the darkish aspect.
He shared: “I used to be ultra-religious. It wasn’t shocking as my dad and mum, Mary, had been strict Catholics and our home was lined in photos of Jesus and Mary.
“At college, the nuns would inform us we had been going to hell, if we didn’t behave. Terrifying.
“However after I was a youngster, I obtained into the occult. Magazines, horror movies with Vincent Value and books like The Satan Rides Out by Dennis Wheatley.
“There have been plenty of immigrants with totally different religions coming into Birmingham, too—Muslims and Hindus. It was fascinating to see new views.”
