February 16, 1970. Arriving late at our native rock membership on a wet Monday evening, the 15-year-old me is hoping to catch American blues guitarist Freddie King, however, approaching the venue, Friars Aylesbury sounds to be underneath some form of bombardment. A sheet of paper tacked on the door says King can’t make it, and Black Sabbath are taking part in as an alternative for the half-price admission of 30 pence.
The band have simply gone on. Coming into the small corridor is extra like stepping onto a Hammer horror movie set as, bathed in blinding white gentle and flickering strobes, three black-clad musicians (two sporting massive silver crosses) lay into essentially the most evil-sounding three-chord riff I’ve ever heard, at a deathly gradual tempo. Like conducting a malevolent ritual over this monolithic churn, the mad-eyed singer intones and screams from underneath whirling brown hair.
After the track (additionally referred to as Black Sabbath) grinds to a screeching halt, he publicizes one other in a definite Brummie accent. Launching right into a Cream-like jam, the moustachioed guitarist extracts blistering runs from his Gibson SG, whereas the drummer appears intent on hammering his package proper by the two-foot stage.
Not one of the 30 or so Friars regulars braving this alien maelstrom dares to sit down within the two rows of chairs going through the band, however pockets of ‘fool dancing’ are breaking out, limbs flying all over the place as an indication of approval (together with this author).
After an prolonged jam round Aynsley Dunbar’s Warning, Black Sabbath depart the stage, smiling at cheers from the tiny viewers. “Nice set!” I squeak after they hit the bar. “Thanks, mate,” Ozzy Osbourne says with a smile.
With their debut album launched solely three days earlier (on Friday the thirteenth) and scant press protection, little was identified about Black Sabbath past the earlier November’s Peel session.
Subsequent day, I’m nonetheless sufficiently blown away to hit the native file store after faculty, seize the album in its scary sleeve and listen to Facet One within the listening sales space. I hear that monstrous riff once more, and I’ve to take it residence. Quickly, Paranoid turns into the most-played 45 on our native pub jukebox.
Forty years later, Geezer Butler helpfully advised the Friars Aylesbury web site: “Sadly, I don’t bear in mind an excessive amount of in regards to the gig. However I’m positive we had been delighted to be requested to play there, as gigs again then had been few. We had been at all times grateful for being requested to play.”
