Considered by many to be the first heavy metal band, Black Sabbath was formed in 1968 by Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. The band's original name was the Polka Tulk Blues Band . After that, the group periodically reunited to tour with Ozzy's "Ozzfest" tour. In 2004, longtime keyboardist Geoff Nicholls was replaced by Adam Wakeman for an Ozzfest tour. No reason was given for the replacement. In 2006, the original line up was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame. In 2007, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ronnie James Dio, and drummer Vinny Appice to support a Dio-era greatest hits release, which also featured 3 new Dio/Iommi compositions. A brand new live album was released under the Heaven & Hell name that same year, followed by a studio album in 2009. In 2009, Osbourne sued Iommi over control of the Black Sabbath name. The lawsuit was settled the following year. In late 2011, it was announced that the original line-up would be recording and touring. Shortly, afterward, Bill Ward dropped out, stating he had been given a contract that was "unsignable". The three remaining members opted to continue without him. Line-Ups: Guitar: Tony Iommi Vocals: Ozzy Osbourne - 1968-1977, 1978-1979, 1997 - Present Dave Walker - 1977-1978 Ronnie James Dio - 1979-1982, 1991-1992 Ian Gillan - 1983-1984 Glenn Hughes - 1985-1986 Ray Gillen - 1986-1987 Tony Martin - 1987-1991, 1993-1996 Bass: Geezer Butler - 1968-1984, 1991-1994, 1997-Present Craig Gruber - 1979 Gordon Copley -1985 Dave "The Beast" Spitz - 1985-1986, 1987 Bob Daisley - 1987 Jo Bert - 1987 Laurence Cottle - 1988 Neil Murray - 1989-1992, 1995-1996 Drums: Bill Ward - 1968-1980, 1983 , 1997-2011 Vinny Appice - 1981-1982, 1991-1992, 1998 Bev Bevan - 1983-1984, 1987 Eric Singer - 1985-1987 Terry Chimes - 1987-1988 Cozy Powell - 1988-1991, 1994-1995 Bobby Rondinelli - 1993-1994, 1995 Mike Bordin - 1997 Tommy Clufetos - 2012-Present Brad Wilk - 2013 Keyboards: Rick Wakeman - 1973 Jezz Woodruffe - ?-1977 Don Airey - 1978 Geoff Nicholls - 1979-2004 Adam Wakeman - 2004-Present
