What Are They Up To Now?
In all the years of Black Sabbath, there have been many musicians that have joined the band for some reasons. And it’s not quite easy to keep track all of them, so I’m just going to pick the major past members and see what they’re all up to and what’s going on with them nowadays.
So without further ado, here are the folks who were considered as a part of Sabbath, even if some was for a short while.
Don Airey
He joined Black Sabbath as a keyboardist back in 1978 on their album “Never Say Die!”
He also played for Deep Purple and toured with them in support of their 2003 release, “Bananas.”
He released his solo album May (2018) called “One Of A Kind.”
Vinny Appice
He joined Black Sabbath as a drummer back in 1980-1982 and again from 1991-1992. He rejoined the band with Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler, and Tony Iommi in 2006 as “Heaven & Hell,” and managed to release one studio album called “The Devil You Know,” before Dio’s death in 2010.
And today, there’s not much information what he’s up to.
Ronnie James Dio
Ronnie joined the band in 1979 and was with them until 1982 and rejoined again from 1991 until 1992. He was behind the masterpiece album “Heaven & Hell.”
Dio was diagnosed with Stomach Cancer back in November 2009, which caused his death in Houston, Texas on May 16, 2010.
Ian Gillan
Ian fronted Sabbath during 1983 and 1984. He was behind the “Born Again” album and toured with them in support of that album.
Gillan is currently the vocalist for Deep Purple and will have their world tour starting October 14 (2018) in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan and will end on November 21 (2018) in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.
Glenn Hughes
He fronted for Sabbath on the “Seventh Star” record, and tour with them, but immediately left after only a few gigs.
Glenn is still creating and recording new music with some known musicians such as Chad Smith of Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Founding Members:
Geezer Butler
He was one of the founding members of Black Sabbath. He left the group in 1984 and returned in 1991, and left again in 1994, and rejoined the band in 1997.
Tony Iommi
Iommi was also one of the founding members of the band, and he never left the group — he was literally at everything.
Though he managed to record solo albums released in 2000 and 2005 called “Iommi” and “Fused.”
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy was an original member and the vocalist of the group when they started in the late 60’s through 1979. He rejoined the and band in 1997.
He also had an awesome solo career playing with legendary guitarists such as Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde.
Ozzy is currently having his second farewell tour called “No More Tours II.” He just “Don’t Wanna Stop.”
Bill Ward
A founding drummer of Black Sabbath and played for the group till 1980. Bill Ward was in and out of the group several times until he finally set back for good behind the drumkit in late 1997.
Bill also managed to release three solo albums and one of them was the third solo album called “Beyond Aston.” Bill also helped out with some several charities by selling copies of single “Straws” on his website. Sadly he never rejoined the band during their farewell tour called The End Tour last February 4, 2017.
The End Tour (Black Sabbath’s Farewell Tour)
The End Tour was the farewell tour of the group, featuring founding members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler. The band ended their 40+ year career with the final show last February 4, 2017, where they formed the band in their home city of Birmingham, UK.
Keep going for the video below. Black Sabbath’s LAST SONG EVER (Final Show):