I had to stick my head in the low bins – it got blown off when Bill Ward was hammering the kick drum.
In a riveting conversation with former Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, Alex Van Halen opened up about his unforgettable experience witnessing Black Sabbath for the first time. The interview, featured in the season finale of McBrain’s YouTube series Metal Sticks, delves into the early influences that shaped Van Halen’s musical journey. Describing the moment he first laid eyes (and ears) on Black Sabbath, Van Halen recounted how he had to “stick my head in those low bins” to fully absorb the thunderous sound of Bill Ward’s kick drum. This event left an indelible mark on him and illustrates the profound impact of seeing his musical heroes perform live.
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Black Sabbath’s Immense Impact
During the interview, Alex reflected on attending a concert where Black Sabbath was the opening act for Grand Funk Railroad. He vividly remembers that electrifying moment, stating, “I got my head blown off when Bill [Ward] was hammering the kick drums.” Van Halen emphasized how this experience truly “blew me away,” and highlighted the significance of powerful live music in a musician’s life. “That’s the kind of thing you want. You want the sound to move you,” he noted, a sentiment that speaks to the heart of rock and roll.
The Rivalry of Bands
Fast forward to 1978, when Van Halen found themselves opening for Black Sabbath amid an uncertain period for the iconic band. With Ozzy Osbourne‘s dismissal looming, tensions were present, yet there was no animosity. In his 2021 book, “Eruption: The Eddie Van Halen Story,” author Paul Brannigan described how Van Halen consistently outshone Sabbath during their tour. He writes, “The promoters should also have hired a crime-scene investigator to document the tour and draw chalk outlines around Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill onstage, for it was clear to all in attendance that Sabbath were being murdered, night after night.”
Mutual Respect Among Legends
Despite the competitive atmosphere, the respect between the two bands remained intact. Ozzy Osbourne himself acknowledged the challenge posed by Van Halen, stating, “When a band goes on stage before you and goes down better than you, you either say, ‘Right, we’re going to go out there and fucking show them how to do it,’ or you just fold up.” Ozzy, who was grappling with a long-standing lawsuit and personal struggles, admitted that it was a difficult time for Sabbath.
For Alex Van Halen, touring with Black Sabbath was just as significant as the initial experience of seeing them perform. He expressed gratitude, saying, “We were honored and blown away that they asked us to open for them.” This sentiment reveals the deep admiration that Van Halen held for his musical influences, highlighting the cyclical nature of inspiration in rock music.
Watch the Full Interview
To fully appreciate Alex Van Halen’s reflections and the stories shared, you can watch the complete interview with him, Nicko McBrain, and David Frangioni on YouTube.