Meta Description: Discover Paul McCartney’s thoughts on Black Sabbath, their unique sound, and their impact on heavy metal. Learn how Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath admired The Beatles and John Lennon.
The Beatles and Black Sabbath were two legendary bands that made significant contributions to Rock and Roll history. After pioneering Heavy Metal, Black Sabbath initially faced some disregard from established musicians but garnered admiration from many over the decades. One notable artist who spoke highly of Black Sabbath was The Beatles’ bassist and singer, Paul McCartney.
Paul McCartney on Black Sabbath’s Unique Sound
In a 2011 interview for the documentary “God Bless Ozzy Osbourne” (transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage), Paul McCartney discussed Black Sabbath’s unique contribution to music. He remarked, “I mean, listening to it now it doesn’t sound that crazy but then it was quite sort of off the wall. In life, we know about the dark side and the light side, the good side, and the bad side.” McCartney highlighted how Black Sabbath delved into themes that were previously unexplored in rock music, likening their allure to that of Dracula or vampires.
Ozzy Osbourne’s View on The Beatles and Heavy Metal
Ozzy Osbourne, a well-known Beatles fan, disagreed with the notion that The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter” was the first heavy metal song. In a 2020 GQ interview, Ozzy stated, “Nah. It’s not heavy. It’s just a fast song about a helter-skelter. Maybe you could say ‘You Really Got Me’ by The Kinks or a song by The Who. But I don’t even consider myself as heavy metal. I did a few heavy things but I’ve done melodic things too, ballady things.”
Ozzy’s admiration for The Beatles is evident, having covered their hit “In My Life” and John Lennon’s solo song “Woman” on his 2005 album “Undercover.” In 2008, he placed Paul McCartney and John Lennon in the top two positions of his list of the 20 best singers of all time.
Geezer Butler’s Love for The Beatles and John Lennon
Black Sabbath bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler also expressed his deep appreciation for The Beatles and John Lennon. In a 2020 interview with Express UK, Butler shared, “I loved The Beatles, still do. They changed the world. Lennon’s lyrics were so different from anything that had come before. Unlike previous bands and singers in Britain, they didn’t try to sound American. Their sound was totally British. Theirs was the first music I could truly relate to.”
Paul McCartney’s recognition of Black Sabbath’s groundbreaking work, along with the band’s own reverence for The Beatles, showcases the mutual respect between these iconic musicians and their enduring influence on rock and heavy metal music.
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