thePULSEHighly regarded New Jersey author Brian Aberback has chosen and is sharing a favorite excerpt from his new Black Sabbath book, entitled Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal. The book is an unauthorized “rockography” that transforms the extensive knowledge about Black Sabbath that Aberback has amassed over the years to the page for future music enthusiasts and students alike to enjoy.
The Excerpt
While riding a ferry to Germany for a series of concerts in the summer of 1969, the men of Earth decided to change their band’s name. They had already written a song that fit their music perfectly, and now it was to become their name: Black Sabbath.
In Germany, Osbourne wrote a letter to his mother that, looking back, was quite prophetic. He said that he wrote, “We just changed the name of the band from Earth to Black Sabbath, maybe we’ll make the big time now.”
Upon returning to England, Black Sabbath’s manager had finally managed to get the band a record deal after being rejected on his first fourteen attempts. Black Sabbath was given one day ~ October 16, 1969 ~ to record the album at Regent Sound Studios in London. Their budget was 500 pounds, the equivalent of $720.
“Tell someone your band’s name is Earth and they’ll wonder what that means,” stated author Brian Aberback when asked to comment on the passage. “Are you a pop or rock band? Maybe a jazz ensemble or R&B outfit? Now, tell them your name is Black Sabbath. Without hearing a note you know you’re in for something ominous, dark and disturbing. Never has a band’s name so perfectly fit its music and the genre that music created.”
Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal is the only Black Sabbath biography written for middle and high school students or for anyone who loves Black Sabbath and wants to learn more about their very humble beginnings and rise to fame. Thoroughly researched, annotated and highly informative, this book is an appealing read for all ages and a great way for parents to introduce their kids to some of the music they love and grew up with. This book chronicles one of rock’s most legendary band’s careers from its formation to the present day and does a superb job of conveying the group’s ups and downs, not glossing over any details while staying age-appropriate. Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal is available in high-quality library bound hardcover as well as softcover editions and can be found wherever books are sold online.
Black Sabbath: Pioneers of Heavy Metal has already been added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Library and Archives and sits on the shelves of libraries throughout the United States to New Zealand, Singapore and the United States Army Base in Heidelberg, Germany. It is also part of The Rebels of Rock series from Enslow Publishing Inc. The Rebels of Rock series includes “rockographies” on Aerosmith, Def Leppard, The Clash, The Ramones, and The Rolling Stones.
The Author
Brian Aberback is a veteran music journalist specializing in hard rock and heavy metal. Aberback’s encyclopaedic knowledge of heavy metal and hard rock spans numerous genres. His interview list is a who’s who of heavy metal and hard rock legends, including Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica, Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer, Overkill, Testament and Mercyful Fate. His work has appeared in daily newspapers, weekly and monthly magazines, and on news and music websites. Many of his stories have been published in The Record, the largest daily newspaper in Northern New Jersey. What sets Aberback apart, in addition to his strong writing style and dedication to his craft, has been his passion for giving heavy metal bands a shot at attracting new audiences through mainstream newspaper exposure. Over the years he’s introduced ~ through the pages of “The Record” and other publications ~ bands including Nile, Cradle of Filth, Amorphis, Morbid Angel, Opeth, Arch Enemy, The Haunted and many, many more to music fans and even metal fans who likely would have never heard of these bands otherwise. Not often do you find daily newspaper writers publishing stories about the likes of D.R.I., Diamond Head, Everytime I Die, Iced Earth or The Gathering.
