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Geezer Butler Doesn’t Talk to Ozzy Osbourne Anymore. Here’s Why.

Geezer Butler released his book Into the Void today (June 6) where he shares he and former Black Sabbath bandmate Ozzy Osbourne don’t speak anymore. In an excerpt published by Ultimate Classic…

Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler attend the Black Sabbath Town Hall Event Celebrating The Release of "13" at The Angel Orensanz Foundation on June 11, 2013 in New York City.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Geezer Butler released his book Into the Void today (June 6) where he shares he and former Black Sabbath bandmate Ozzy Osbourne don't speak anymore.

In an excerpt published by Ultimate Classic Rock (UCR), Butler writes in the book's epilogue that he and Osbourne don't speak due to a falling out between their wives. He pens, "Me and Ozzy are fine, it's just that we're both ruled by our wives. He's go a big heart and was always there for me in times of trouble."

Fortunately, Butler is still close with guitarist Tony Iommi. He tells UCR, "Yeah, he’s always been there for me. You know, he’s a good friend. We can slag each other to death. It’s like marriage, really. You have terrible arguments, you fall out and you come back together. But he’s always there. He always is. I hope he is after this book as well."

As for drummer Bill Ward, Butler says he still loves him, but, " .... He's not on the internet. If you want to talk to Bill, you have to email his wife and she has to tell him. It's really awkward. [Laughs]"

Into the Void is available for purchase via HarperCollins.com.

Black Sabbath: The Best 30 Songs From The Ozzy Osbourne Era(s), Ranked

Black Sabbath released their second album, Paranoid, in America on September 18, 1970. A bit tighter than their self-titled debut, which came out earlier in the year, Paranoid's title track became their biggest radio hit in America. The album also had "Luke's Wall/War Pigs" and "Iron Man," But the 41-minute album didn't waste a second: it's a perfect album.

In fact, seven of the eight songs made our list that we put together. Here, we decided to stick with songs from the Ozzy eras of the band: 1970's debut album (and the "Evil Woman" single) through 1978's Never Say Die! and also 2013's 13. Yes, we know that they put out two new songs in the '90s, but those didn't come close to making this list. Like Paranoid, this list doesn't waste a moment. The roots of every metal band can be found in these thirty songs.

And yes, Black Sabbath did some incredible stuff with Ozzy's replacement, the late, great Ronnie James Dio. That's probably a list for another day. And yes, both RJD and drummer Vinny Appice should have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the founding four members: Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward.

Speaking of the Rock Hall, you should go back and watch Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield's speeches inducting the band. Hetfield's speech is particularly great. The Metallica frontman said Sabbath helped a "shy boy" find "his own loud voice.

"Those monstrous riffs lived inside him and spoke the feelings he could never put into words," Hetfield said. " ... They helped crack the shell he was stuck in." (He also said scaring his mom and sister was "an extra bonus.")

Without further ado, here's our list of Black Sabbath's 30 best songs from the Ozzy era.

30. “End Of The Beginning” - ‘13’ (2013)

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29. “It’s Alright” - ‘Technical Ecstasy’ (1976)

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28. “Snowblind” - ‘Vol. 4’ (1972

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27. “A Hard Road” - ‘Never Say Die!’ (1978

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26. “Hole In The Sky” - ‘Sabotage’ (1975)

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25. “Loner” - ‘13’ (2013)

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24. “Changes” - ‘Vol. 4’ (1972)

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23. “Lord Of This World” - ‘Master Of Reality’ (1971)

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22. “Evil Woman” - single (1970)

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21. “Symptom Of The Universe” - ‘Sabotage’ (1975)

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20. “Into The Void” - ‘Master Of Reality’ (1971)

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19. “A Bit Of Finger/Sleeping Village/Warning” - ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970)

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18. “Jack The Stripper/Fairies Wear Boots” - ‘Paranoid’ (1970)

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17. “Wicked World” - ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970)

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16. “Never Say Die” - ‘Never Say Die!’ (1978)

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15. “Under The Sun” - ‘Vol. 4’ (1972)

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14. “Children Of The Grave” - ‘Master Of Reality’ (1971)

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13. “Supernaut” - ‘Vol. 4’ (1972)

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12. “Wasp/Behind The Wall Of Sleep/Bassically/N.I.B.” from ‘Black Sabbath” (1970)

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11. “Electric Funeral” - “Paranoid” (1970)

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10. “The Wizard” from ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970)

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9. “Planet Caravan” - “Paranoid” (1970)

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8. “Sweat Leaf” - ‘Master Of Reality’ (1971

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7. “Hand Of Doom” - ‘Paranoid’ (1970)

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6. “After Forever” - ‘Master Of Reality’ (1971)

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5. “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” - ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ (1973

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4. “Iron Man” - ‘Paranoid’ (1970)

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3. “Paranoid” - ‘Paranoid’ (1970)

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2. “War Pigs/Luke’s Wall” - ‘Paranoid’ (1970)

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1. “Black Sabbath” from ‘Black Sabbath’ (1970)

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Erica Banas is a news blogger who's been covering the rock/classic rock world since 2014. The coolest event she's ever covered in person was the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Sir Paul McCartney inducting Foo Fighters? C'mon now!) She's also well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights