Guitarist Jimi Bell just lately opened up about his sophisticated historical past with Black Sabbath, reflecting on how a observe he wrote ended up on one of many band’s albums with out him receiving credit score or fee. Regardless of the setback, he says he has “made peace” with the expertise.
Within the late Eighties, Bell was a rising star on guitar, even auditioning to affix Ozzy Osbourne‘s band after Jake E. Lee‘s departure. The position in the end went to Zakk Wylde, however Bell went on to search out regular success with Autograph and Home of Lords. Earlier than then, although, he crossed paths with different key figures from Black Sabbath.
As Bell recalled, it was Sharon Osbourne who steered him towards a brand new mission with Geezer Butler (by way of Final Guitar): “Even after the Ozzy gig did not occur, Sharon nonetheless believed in me. That perception led on to Geezer and what turned a complete new chapter in my profession. Geezer wished to discover a extra melodic sound than Sabbath, however nonetheless heavy. We had an incredible lineup: Carl Sentance on vocals, now in Nazareth; Jezz Woodruff from Robert Plant‘s band on keys; and Gary Ferguson on drums – his resume is unreal.”
The guitarist additionally detailed his setup throughout that point, emphasizing the problem of matching Butler‘s unmistakable bass tone: “We rehearsed in a killer studio in London, and I used Marshall 800 heads – they had been important to match Geezer‘s large low-end tone. Watching him play up shut was wild. His thunderous assault on the bass is subsequent stage.”
Considered one of Bell‘s contributions from this era ultimately surfaced on Dehumanizer, the 1992 reunion album that introduced collectively Tony Iommi, Butler, and Ronnie James Dio. That observe was “Grasp of Madness,” however Bell admitted he by no means noticed recognition or compensation for it.
“In ’91, I received a name from Geezer‘s spouse, Gloria. She advised me Sabbath was reuniting with Ronnie James Dio and wished to make use of ‘Grasp of Madness’ on the brand new album. I used to be thrilled – till I came upon I would not get songwriting credit score. Tony Iommi apparently did not desire a track by one other guitarist on a Sabbath file.”
“Geezer did thank me within the liner notes, and he promised me fee after the tour. I by no means noticed the cash. However listening to Dio carry out a track I wrote was unforgettable. Ronnie even talked about our collaboration in his e-book, and Geezer wrote about it in his autobiography, so I’ve made peace with it.”
Apparently, one other observe from Dehumanizer bears a connection to Bell, albeit solely in identify. As he defined: “We did have a track referred to as ‘Pc God’, however it was completely completely different – extra of a melodic arduous rock observe. There is a rehearsal video of it on YouTube. Solely the title made it to the Sabbath model; musically, they’re worlds aside.”
Regardless of by no means getting the popularity he might need deserved, Bell‘s fingerprints are (allegedly) quietly current within the Black Sabbath legacy.
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