Heavy metal music’s hallmark sound consists of an intense drum beat accompanied by distortion on electric guitar, bass guitar, vocals, and distorted bass guitar, all set against a backdrop of blues, psychedelia, and classical influences that has defined its identity since its birth in 1969.
Black Sabbath laid the groundwork for metal music with their dark, low-tuned riffs and grim themes, leading the way in terms of subgenre development. Their evil vibes and psychedelic roots also served to influence future subgenres of this style of music.
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are widely credited with pioneering heavy metal. Their dark, dense sound and apocalyptic themes set the standard against which all other bands were measured, earning them immense live show audiences while their albums Black Sabbath and Paranoid had immense clout upon release. Unfortunately, Osbourne eventually left to pursue solo success and star in The Osbournes reality TV show while Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Tony Iommi continued performing under the Black Sabbath name with various musicians under various musicians’s name until eventually performing under revolvised lineups under this name until his departure in 1992.
Black Sabbath was formed in Birmingham, England by guitarist Geezer Butler, bassist Bill Ward and drummer Ozzy Osbourne in 1973. Their working-class factory environment inspired their darker personas and music; initially named The Polka Tulk Blues Band but changed due to another band using that name (Earth). Later they decided on Black Sabbath as an allusion to Mario Bava and Boris Karloff’s horror film Frankenstein for which it would later serve as inspiration.
Early on, Metallica were an inspiration to other heavy metal bands with their blues-rock roots and experimental sounds. Bill Ward used jazz elements in his drumming; one song even contained an “spang-a-lang” hi-hat intro similar to what Jo Jones used for big band legend Count Basie!
Sabbath emerged from their blues-rock origins to create heavy and menacing records in its early years. Their early records featured dense, complex, dark and repetitive riffs which provided a powerful rhythmic base; in addition, Sabbath used various sounds and harmonies that gave their music even greater intensity.
Black Sabbath rose to fame during the early 1970s due to their dark music and dark, brooding themes, which sold millions of copies. Their album Black Sabbath served as an influence for subsequent bands like Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple.
After Osbourne left, Iommi continued performing with a rotating cast of singers. Although some early post-Sabbath LPs were forgettable, their later albums like Seventh Star and Headless Cross showcased the group’s darker sound.
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin emerged in the late sixties as rock’s pioneer heavy metal band. Their sound combined blues, psychedelia, and heavy guitar-driven beats. Over 300 million records were sold worldwide by Led Zeppelin under Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham who began revolution that spread from pubs and clubs all the way to stadiums; their music also inspired bands like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple.
Led Zeppelin formed in 1968 after guitarist Jimmy Page left the Yardbirds and recruited multi-instrumentalist Jones into his new group. They took their name from an English slang term for lead balloon, making a lasting impression in America even before visiting their own nation of England. Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun signed them without seeing them play and recorded their second album Led Zeppelin II while touring through Los Angeles studios – this heavy and more textured opus became an instant classic and achieved legendary status among music lovers everywhere.
Led Zeppelin became synonymous with heavy metal due to two songs, “Whole Lotta Love” and “Lemon Song,” that displayed raw ferocity that was unmatched in rock at that time, drawing heavily upon blues influences. Yet to focus solely on these two tracks would be neglecting all their other great work which had its foundation in folk and pop music alike.
Led Zeppelin’s music was complicated and expansive, sometimes difficult for their fans to comprehend. Their music featured layers and seductive tones; live shows often took risks to surprise audiences; yet these legendary musicians produced albums that still sound fresh today.
While their image has suffered in recent years, their music remains one of the most influential in rock history. Credited with helping to establish heavy metal as a genre and inspiring many subsequent bands to follow in their footsteps; considered founding fathers of hard rock and heavy metal music around the globe.
Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne is one of the most influential heavy metal music creators of all time. His band Black Sabbath defined heavy metal during the 70s; subsequent solo careers and co-founding earned him an enormous fan base; Osbourne managed to keep this momentum going well into his 1990s solo career as well, where his songs often addressed personal experiences from his life experiences – making him an advocate for mental health awareness as well.
Osbourne was born in Birmingham, England and left school at 15 after discovering his musical talent. While working odd jobs he discovered Rare Breed. Here he played bass and sang while leading this local act to some local success; later they relocated to London as Black Sabbath where their debut album quickly went platinum, leading them to international renown.
Ozzy Osbourne made an immediate and notable transition into solo recording after Black Sabbath disbanded in 1979, producing multiple multi-platinum albums during this time. His 1980 debut, Blizzard of Ozz, was both critically and commercially well received; 1981’s Diary of a Madman also garnered critical acclaim and sold well commercially. By 1991 No More Tears had come out along with 1995’s Ozzmosis featuring guitarist Steve Vai and drummer Deen Castronovo from Journey on guitar and drum respectively – continuing this successful run until 1995’s Ozzmosis brought on board guitarist Steve Vai and drummer Deen Castronovo from Journey who contributed their talents as guitarist Steve Vai and drummer Deen Castronovo from Journey joined forces.
Osbourne also became widely popular through his appearance in MTV reality TV series The Osbournes, which showcased his family life. Additionally, his eccentric behavior garnered considerable public notice and earned him criticism from conservative groups.
Osbourne returned to Black Sabbath in 2013 for an exciting studio album release called 13 and tour. Both projects were highly acclaimed, selling out tours across North America. Osbourne continued touring regularly after this success and also released solo albums including Black Rain (2007) and Scream (2010). He enjoys spending time with his children; writing songs such as “My Little Man,” a tribute song for son Jack.
Howlin’ Wolf
Howlin’ Wolf (Chester Burnett), one of the founders of Chicago blues, was an iconic figure on the musical landscape. He inspired heavy metal and rock with his expressive guitar playing as well as powerful vocals which could shake rooms.
Howlin’ Wolf first began performing in Ruleville, Mississippi before moving to Chicago where he worked as an electrician to support his family. Early experiences performing under rural masters helped hone his stagecraft and musical style; once settled there he took to performing at folk clubs, cutting-edge rock venues, traditional R&B joints as well as folk festivals.
Howlin’ Wolf also participated actively in the Army during this time, spending two and a half years serving with them before being deployed to Louisiana Maneuvers. This experience inspired many of his songs, such as “Wang Dang Doodle,” “Goin’ Down Slow,” and “Little Red Rooster.”
As Wolf began his musical journey, he recorded and performed internationally. His 1962 album Howlin’ Wolf is widely considered one of the most influential blues albums ever released and features hits like “Wang Dang Doodle,” “Goin’ Down Slow,” and “Spoonful”. Additionally, its cover featuring an acoustic guitar leaning against a rocking chair caught the attention of German promoters Horst Lippmann and Fritz Rau and led them to sign him to a European tour that year; then in 1965 The Rolling Stones appeared as per their request as they had covered Wolf’s song “Little Red Rooster” earlier.
Wolf was an impressive presence on stage, standing six feet three and weighing over 300 pounds. His voice resembled that of an angry animal shriek when shifting between deep bass notes to an eerie falsetto or animal whoop, leaving audiences with an impression of both power and pent-up violence.
Howlin’ Wolf was an enormously humble individual offstage. Functionally illiterate well into his 40s, he relied on lengthy rehearsal sessions with his backup musicians to explain songs to them and was thrifty with money; opting for an affordable Pontiac station wagon instead of more luxurious vehicles as his mode of transport.