Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

The Fathers of heavy metal! Black Sabbath introduced the world to something new in early 1970 with the release of their debut album with opening track “Black Sabbath”. Black Sabbath are the fathers, the alpha, the beginning of heavy metal. Their first number of albums are in the style that would later be adopted as doom metal. Known as the riff master by many, Tony Iommi created a unique heavy riff based playing style that would become the foundation of metal. The incredible bass playing and much of the lyrics would come from Terry “Geezer” Butler in the early years. Those lyrics would be delivered in the early days by the iconic and ominous sounding John “Ozzy” Osbourne. Bill Ward brought in a chaotic style of drumming that was both heavy and unrestrained yet elegant at times. This would be the line up for a decade before the introduction of legendary Ronnie James Dio as vocalist/lyricist. After this time Sabbath would eventually change out a few other singers, bassists and drummers before reunited with Ozzy and Dio both decades later. (the latter being under the name of Heaven and Hell). Although the songs are often credited to the entire band it was standard for Tony to write the songs and Geezer to write the lyrics in the Ozzy days. The music became more collaborative with singers Dio and Tony Martin helping arrange songs. At the heart of Sabbath there has always been Tony Iommi.

Blues and Jazz

Tony talks about getting into blues and jazz but doesn’t name specific influences. He said the liner notes in those days were sketchy or non existent and that he still doesn’t know who half the players were. Geezer and Bill also name blues and jazz influences which I have listed below.

The Shadows were for a time a backing band for Cliff Richards in the early 60’s. They eventually played as a instrumental band which is when they caught the ear of Tony. They were the only band in that time that Tony really liked and is normally the… — The Shadows were for a time a backing band for Cliff Richards in the early 60’s. They eventually played as a instrumental band which is when they caught the ear of Tony. They were the only band in that time that Tony really liked and is normally the only influence he names.

Cream was probably the biggest of the psychedelic bands of the late 60’s with each member being iconic players and probably know by many as the band Eric Clapton got big. Geezer named bassist Jack Bruce as his biggest influence. His replacement Neil… — Cream was probably the biggest of the psychedelic bands of the late 60’s with each member being iconic players and probably know by many as the band Eric Clapton got big. Geezer named bassist Jack Bruce as his biggest influence. His replacement Neil would do the same. Bill would name them along with many others.

John Mayall was a British blues player in the 60’s Tony said in the early days before Sabbath they would play a lot of pop stuff because it was the type of stuff people wanted but they would throw in some John Mayall songs that they liked playing. … — John Mayall was a British blues player in the 60’s Tony said in the early days before Sabbath they would play a lot of pop stuff because it was the type of stuff people wanted but they would throw in some John Mayall songs that they liked playing. Although Eric Clapton is probably more known for Cream, Tony actually liked his stuff with the Bluesbreakers better. They were a band Tony was listening to and play songs from. Geezer named them as an influence.

Tony’s accident that caused him to loose his finger tips has every bit as much to do with his sound and style as any thing he listened to. It caused him to lower the tuning of his guitar to help his fingers not hurt so bad.

There is a story commonly told by Tony about his boss playing him a record of gypsy jazz player Django Reinhardt after Tony’s accident. This is because of an accident Django only had the use of two fingers on his fret hand. At the time Tony said he had no real interest in the style of playing so Django is not an influence on Tony’s sound. Tony was however inspired to continue playing because if him.

Geezer got into The Beatles early on and after that The Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Who, Muddy Waters, Dizzy Gillespie, John Mayall, Cream, Hendrix, Zeppelin, and Frank Zappa. He actually started out playing rhythm guitar heavily influenced by John Lennon, but when joining with Tony, he switched to bass and took more influence from Jack Bruce of Cream.

Bill Ward names a ton of influences from different styles. From jazz players, Gene Krupa, Buddy and Joe Morello. He first listened to blues and big band jazz, then American rock and roll like Elvis and Little Richard. He then got into English instrumental bands like instrumental bands The Ventures and the Shadows, and then the Beatles. Some of his blues influences come from Muddy Waters and Jon Lee Hooker. In the psychedelic world he was influenced by Cream and Hendrix. John Bonham was also an influence. They grew up in the same area. Bill said that in those days a lot of local drummers would get together and share stuff at a local shop owned by Micky Evans. In the early days he would sit and watch local players like Jim Capaldi of Deep Feeling, Clive Bunker in Jethro Tull, and Lionel Rubin who played for the BBC.

Ozzy’s main influence is The Beatles, they are the band that made him want to sing.

When Dio joined Black Sabbath he co wrote songs with the band unlike Ozzy before him. His influences include: composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and King Crimson. You can also check out the full Dio Family Tree.

Ian Gillian wrote with the band when he did Born Again with Sabbath. Since it was only one album I wont discuss his influences here but maybe will have Deep Purple on the tree at some point.

Cozy Powell played on three Sabbath albums. His early influences were Brian Bennett from the Shadows and Bobby Elliot from the Hollies. Much like Bill, he would watch them to learn how they were playing.

Geoff Nicholls played keyboard on six studio albums several live albums. I’m unsure what his influences are.

Tony Martin sung on five Sabbath studio albums and has helped in writing. Some of his influences include The Beatles, Tir na Nog, Black Sabbath, Hawkwind, Yes, Sade, Rainbow, and Phenomena featuring Glenn Houghes. The latter was responsible for inspiring “Anno Mundi.”

Neil Murray played bass on two studio albums. His influences include Jack Bruce of Cream.

Other members of Sabbath either don’t have writing credits and/or were session players.

If you are completely uninitiated to the greatness of Black Sabbath, check out…

TMU 101 - Black Sabbath

Bands influenced by Black Sabbath!

As this project advances, bands will be added here… there are many!

One of the most influential hard rock bands of their time.

Maiden need no introduction being one of the most important metal bands.

Zakk Wyld named Tony as a big influence.

Dio guitarists Craig and Rowan were both inspired by Sabbath.

FUCKIN’ SLAYER!!!!!!

Classic Death Metal

Newer generation of Swedish metal.

Some of the most aggressive new wave thrashers

Sources:

http://legacy.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/Tony-Iommi-Reveals-His-Earliest-Influences.aspx
https://www.guitarworld.com/gw-archive/tony-iommi-and-james-hetfield-discuss-life-black-sabbath-and-metallica-1992-guitar-world-interview
https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/tony_iommi_shares_honest_opinion_on_80s_glam_bands_names_surprising_black_sabbath_influence.html
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/black-sabbaths-tony-iommi-and-judas-priests-richie-faulkner-discuss-early-influences-finding-their-own-sound-video/
https://forbassplayersonly.com/interview-geezer-butler/
https://www.musicradar.com/news/behind-the-kit-with-ex-black-sabbath-drummer-bill-ward
https://www.goldminemag.com/articles/the-music-that-changed-bill-wards-life
https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/november-1984-cozy-powell-taking-charge/
https://www.hit-channel.com/neil-murray-whitesnakeblack-sabbathgary-moorebrian-may/2202
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ozzy-osbourne-zakk-wylde-is-one-of-the-greatest-friends-ill-ever-have/?fbclid=IwAR0XA7M_3lW7gUurRh6SbIihOd6ee6KixhWlsOq_plAS_WhjZ3LMQk4Uh18
https://www.facebook.com/T0nyMart1n
https://www.guitarworld.com/magazine/tony-iommi-talks-dio-van-halen-judas-priest-and-more-outtake-2008-guitar-world-interview
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/geezer-butler-on-black-sabbaths-early-days-the-making-of-13-and-which-album-has-the-worst-bass-sound