{"product_id":"black-sabbath-symptom-of-the-universe-9781250051349","title":"Black Sabbath: Symptom of the Universe: Symptom of the Universe","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBlack Sabbath: Symptom of the Universe - The Definitive Biography\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDecades before reality television was invented, Ozzy Osbourne was subversive and dark. Ozzy was the singer in the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and they meant business. In an era when rock bands were measured by how 'heavy' they were, no one was weightier than Black Sabbath. All four founding members of the original Black Sabbath grew up within half-a-mile of each other in a tiny Birmingham suburb. Though all shared a deep love of music--The Beatles for Ozzy, the Mothers of Invention for Geezer, the Shadows and Chet Atkins for Iommi, and Gene Kruppa for Ward-- they formed their group \"as the quickest way out of the slums.\" This is the story of how they made that dream come true--and how it then turned into a nightmare for all of them. At the height of their fame, Sabbath discovered they'd been so badly ripped off by their managers they didn't even own their own songs. They looked for salvation from Don Arden--an even more notorious gangster figure, who resurrected their career but still left them indebted to him, financially and personally. It finally came to a head when in 1979 they sacked Ozzy: \"For being too out of control--even for us,\" as Bill Ward put it. The next fifteen years were a war between the post-Ozzy Sabbath and Ozzy himself, whose solo career overshadowed Sabbath so much that a reunion was entirely on his terms. Or rather, those of his wife and manager--to add a further bitter twist for Sabbath, daughter of Don Arden --Sharon Osbourne.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Makes This Biography Essential\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten by renowned rock journalist Mick Wall, this hardcover edition delivers unprecedented insight into one of heavy metal's most influential bands. Wall chronicles the complete trajectory from their working-class Birmingham origins through their rise as pioneers of heavy metal, the financial exploitation by management, internal conflicts, Ozzy's controversial firing, and the eventual reunion orchestrated by Sharon Osbourne.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eInside the Pages\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis comprehensive account examines the personal and professional relationships that defined Black Sabbath's legacy. From Tony Iommi's guitar innovations to Geezer Butler's dark lyrics, Bill Ward's thunderous drumming to Ozzy's iconic vocals, Wall captures the chemistry that created the blueprint for heavy metal. The book details the band's struggles with substance abuse, management corruption, and the bitter legal battles that nearly destroyed their legacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eMICK WALL is the UK's best-known rock writer. He is also a TV and radio broadcaster. His work has appeared in a variety of publications, including Classic Rock, Mojo and the London Times. He has written a dozen rock biographies, including books on Led Zeppelin, Guns 'n' Roses and Metallica. He lives in England.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"St. Martins Press-3PL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50680841404690,"sku":"9781250051349","price":28.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_6f01f139-1cae-44ae-b35e-247dcd22e902.jpg?v=1733943765","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/black-sabbath-symptom-of-the-universe-9781250051349","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}