July 3, 2024 • 9 mins
Geezer Butler's autobiography, 'Into the Void: From Birth to Black Sabbath & Beyond' is a great rock memoir. This is the guy that wrote all the lyrics for Sabbath! Amazing. Coming from an Irish Catholic family of SEVEN, Gunner asks how hard Geezer had to fight at the dinner table for food! From exploding amps to The Beatles to bass player jokes, its a great talk with a true rock legend.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
Well, it is such a greatpleasure to have with us today, a
rock legend, a member of theRock and Roll Hall of Fame, bass
player for the legendary Black Sabbath.Hello, Geezer Butler Older, Well,
your memoir is now in paperback,and boy, I'll tell you what I
love these rock memoirs that are comingout. Yours is wonderful. It's called
(00:20):
Into the Void from Birth to BlackSabbath and Beyond, and paperback available right
now. So grab that, Geezer, I want to go all the way
back. Would you come from afamily of seven, an Irish Catholic family?
How quickly did you learn to eatfast so you could get your share
of the food. Well, therewas hardly any food left by the time
(00:42):
I had anything. That's that's whyI grew up vegetarian, because everybody else
is at the meat and every sinceI was left with potatoes and cabbage.
Like the ways of means, youknow you're not going to get the chicken.
You might as well go for thegood piece of salary his home.
(01:03):
Then you got the least food.Oh my goodness, Hey, think you
back when you were a kid,because we all have a memory of our
moms. Did your mom have adish that was your favorite? Well,
she was a brilliant cook, probablythe roast potatoes and sprouts. Growing up,
did you have the luxury at allof enjoying sports in England, football
(01:25):
or the like. Yeah, Ilived literally just down the road from one
of the greatest football teams in theworld at the time, Aston Villa,
and I used to go down therewhen I was like seven years old.
I'd go down there. I didn'thave enough money to get in, but
they used to open the gates athalftime, so I'd sneak in, then
(01:48):
watch the second half of the watchthe second half of the match, and
then later on. I used togo down there every week. Geezer,
those days are gone. I hadno football team on his plane and open
the gates at halftime anymore, that'sfor sure. Well, your new book
looks incredible. I've read some ofit already. Geezer book, Geezer,
Butler Into the Void. I justgot to say, I mean Black Sabbath
(02:10):
to me started it off. Youknow, I had the forty five's at
Strawberry alarm clock and Gary Lewis andall this, and then I inherited Black
Sabbath. Black Sabbath the first albumfrom my sisters, who are about seven
eight years older than I am,and that set my course. So I
appreciate that album. We're going tomake our way over to the original site
(02:30):
of the photograph, that mill inEngland. It's outside of England, I
guess, and take the photograph.Like everybody else says that album cover,
the whole album meant so much tome. So we're glad that you got
the book out and I can't waitto read the whole thing right right,
So I hope you enjoy it.We are speaking with Geezer Butler a Black
Sabbath. So, Geezer, youcome from the humble beginnings as a lot
(02:51):
of us do. I can't believeI'm talking on the radio right now,
growing up in Chicago. What wasyour impression of America when you first came
over here. Well, at first, it was quite disappointing because we had
to start all over again at likethis tiny little club. And the reason
was because all the promoters and agentsand everything were there, which we didn't
(03:14):
know that. We thought it waslike a few people, you know,
not ordinary ordinary fans, and itwas like this tiny, little club that
held about two hundred people. Itwas like literally noting again. But it
was full of agents, promoters,everything and all business, you know,
(03:34):
like the record business people. Sofrom then on, you know, we
got the whole thing booked. Iloved America from the first first gig onwards.
The only bad thing that happened webrought in. We didn't realize the
electricity was different in America to England. First we blew all the amps up
(04:00):
right. Hey, you know what, that was not your fault. One
of those suits that was at theinitial gig should have told you to get
your electricity right. That was theirfault. That's what happened in the early
seventies because nobody was used you know, nobody was used to it. You
know, That's what's so weird.Why why is there different electricity? Why
(04:21):
do I have to drive on theright side of the road when I go
to England? Come on, Imean, I don't know if America is
trying to stand out on its own. Oh my goodness, so great to
hear the voice of Geezer Butler herewith us today and paperback version of Into
the Void From Birth to Black Sabbathand Beyond Geezer, when you're putting together
a book like this, are you. I know you're pulling a lot from
(04:44):
your old memories, but do youget in touch with a lot of friends
and family and guys in the industryto sort of recreate some of the moments
that you might not remember. Nois the only HELLI It was a guy
from the agency, the book agency, who did the looked up all the
what albums came with, the datesof everything, like when which album came
(05:09):
out, when on what days,on which tour was in what year,
and that kind of thing. Butapart from that, now, because I
was I was stuck at home duringthe pandemic, so I couldn't talk to
anybody about it. I was justlike there on my own for like nine
months without being able to leave thehouse. So I just wrote it all
(05:30):
down. Then I was going toask you about that, Geezer, Butler
the new book into the Void whereveryou buy your books out there? Now,
what's harder for you? What wasmore of a challenge writing a book
or recording an album? Writing abook, Yeah, you know, I'm
not a writer, except for lyrics, I think because I wrote all the
(05:50):
lyrics were sabb I think that's whathelped a lot, helped me a lot,
you know, because I'm used towriting lyrics, So the transition to
writing the memoir was I think easierfor me to do. Yeah, no,
that makes that makes complete sense.Gosh, when you think about the
lyrics, I mean the imagery thatyou helped create in that the generations of
(06:14):
kids that go into that heavier endof rock music. What was your biggest
influence growing up in Birmingham musically,Yeah, when the Beatles came out,
because over them, my brothers wereinto Elvis and Eddie Cochran, a lot
(06:34):
of the American rockers, and sowhen the Beatles came along, that was
my kind of music, my generation'smusic, and that was the biggest influence.
When I first heard the Beatles,I was like just totally blown away
and I just said, this iswhat I want to do in life.
I want to be either the FifthPeople or like them. There's a common
(06:59):
thread there. A lot of alot of really hard rock bands that followed
Black Sabbath all count the Beatles astheir heavy influence. So, I mean
the Beatles were great. I mean, you know, they sound a little
duop in the beginning, but itall evolved into you know the Beatles from
front to back. Just the rideyou take with them incredible. I wanted
to ask you, Geezer Butler,bass player, with Black Sabbath Into the
(07:20):
Void, is the new song?New song? I was about to say,
new album, your new book thatis out now everywhere you buy your
paperbacks. Have you seen the BlackSabbath bench in Birmingham, the new attraction
in Birmingham right now? Yes,Me and Tony Iomi, the guitarist,
actually went to open it on theyou know the Can you imagine what your
(07:44):
parents would think about that? Well? Yeah, I think hopefully they'd be
proud of it. Yeah, theyweren't too proud in the beginning. And
I call the band black. Youknow once when we were successful, I
were really proud of us. Ohthat's great. When did your parents pass
(08:05):
away? They get to see agood part of your career. Nineteen ninety
four my dad passed and not nineteenninety eight. Me. Mom, oh,
so you guys got to share lotsof great moments together. Oh yeah,
yeah. I used to send themwhen we had platinum, them in
gold and platinum albums made I havethe companies that make them for my mom
(08:26):
and dad as well. Oh thatis awesome. All right, now,
you're I told Donna, I toldStuck I was going to do this.
You're gonna love it or hate it. I gotta tell a besa here.
Yes, I'm just gonna hang upand listen from here. Okay, and
listen, I got I got abass player joke. Could you probably hurt
them all? How do you getthe bass player off your front porch,
(08:46):
Geezer, You pay them for thepizza. Oh, there it is.
He liked it. There it is. I love drop that on the next
group of young bass players you runacross. It's a hard life, kids.
You might end up delivering beats soalong the way. That'll be my
(09:09):
next That'll be my next job.I highly doubt that, but Geezer,
thank you so much for all theyears of music. And you guys are
all such wonderful British gentlemen, andyou know you represent the Crown and all
that so well. Thank you somuch for the time and good health to
continued success. Thank you very much. Stuck and Gunna, thank you very much.
Well, it is such a greatpleasure to have with us today, a
rock legend, a member of theRock and Roll Hall of Fame, bass
player for the legendary Black Sabbath.Hello, Geezer Butler Older, Well,
your memoir is now in paperback,and boy, I'll tell you what I
love these rock memoirs that are comingout. Yours is wonderful. It's called
(00:20):
Into the Void from Birth to BlackSabbath and Beyond, and paperback available right
now. So grab that, Geezer, I want to go all the way
back. Would you come from afamily of seven, an Irish Catholic family?
How quickly did you learn to eatfast so you could get your share
of the food. Well, therewas hardly any food left by the time
(00:42):
I had anything. That's that's whyI grew up vegetarian, because everybody else
is at the meat and every sinceI was left with potatoes and cabbage.
Like the ways of means, youknow you're not going to get the chicken.
You might as well go for thegood piece of salary his home.
(01:03):
Then you got the least food.Oh my goodness, Hey, think you
back when you were a kid,because we all have a memory of our
moms. Did your mom have adish that was your favorite? Well,
she was a brilliant cook, probablythe roast potatoes and sprouts. Growing up,
did you have the luxury at allof enjoying sports in England, football
(01:25):
or the like. Yeah, Ilived literally just down the road from one
of the greatest football teams in theworld at the time, Aston Villa,
and I used to go down therewhen I was like seven years old.
I'd go down there. I didn'thave enough money to get in, but
they used to open the gates athalftime, so I'd sneak in, then
(01:48):
watch the second half of the watchthe second half of the match, and
then later on. I used togo down there every week. Geezer,
those days are gone. I hadno football team on his plane and open
the gates at halftime anymore, that'sfor sure. Well, your new book
looks incredible. I've read some ofit already. Geezer book, Geezer,
Butler Into the Void. I justgot to say, I mean Black Sabbath
(02:10):
to me started it off. Youknow, I had the forty five's at
Strawberry alarm clock and Gary Lewis andall this, and then I inherited Black
Sabbath. Black Sabbath the first albumfrom my sisters, who are about seven
eight years older than I am,and that set my course. So I
appreciate that album. We're going tomake our way over to the original site
(02:30):
of the photograph, that mill inEngland. It's outside of England, I
guess, and take the photograph.Like everybody else says that album cover,
the whole album meant so much tome. So we're glad that you got
the book out and I can't waitto read the whole thing right right,
So I hope you enjoy it.We are speaking with Geezer Butler a Black
Sabbath. So, Geezer, youcome from the humble beginnings as a lot
(02:51):
of us do. I can't believeI'm talking on the radio right now,
growing up in Chicago. What wasyour impression of America when you first came
over here. Well, at first, it was quite disappointing because we had
to start all over again at likethis tiny little club. And the reason
was because all the promoters and agentsand everything were there, which we didn't
(03:14):
know that. We thought it waslike a few people, you know,
not ordinary ordinary fans, and itwas like this tiny, little club that
held about two hundred people. Itwas like literally noting again. But it
was full of agents, promoters,everything and all business, you know,
(03:34):
like the record business people. Sofrom then on, you know, we
got the whole thing booked. Iloved America from the first first gig onwards.
The only bad thing that happened webrought in. We didn't realize the
electricity was different in America to England. First we blew all the amps up
(04:00):
right. Hey, you know what, that was not your fault. One
of those suits that was at theinitial gig should have told you to get
your electricity right. That was theirfault. That's what happened in the early
seventies because nobody was used you know, nobody was used to it. You
know, That's what's so weird.Why why is there different electricity? Why
(04:21):
do I have to drive on theright side of the road when I go
to England? Come on, Imean, I don't know if America is
trying to stand out on its own. Oh my goodness, so great to
hear the voice of Geezer Butler herewith us today and paperback version of Into
the Void From Birth to Black Sabbathand Beyond Geezer, when you're putting together
a book like this, are you. I know you're pulling a lot from
(04:44):
your old memories, but do youget in touch with a lot of friends
and family and guys in the industryto sort of recreate some of the moments
that you might not remember. Nois the only HELLI It was a guy
from the agency, the book agency, who did the looked up all the
what albums came with, the datesof everything, like when which album came
(05:09):
out, when on what days,on which tour was in what year,
and that kind of thing. Butapart from that, now, because I
was I was stuck at home duringthe pandemic, so I couldn't talk to
anybody about it. I was justlike there on my own for like nine
months without being able to leave thehouse. So I just wrote it all
(05:30):
down. Then I was going toask you about that, Geezer, Butler
the new book into the Void whereveryou buy your books out there? Now,
what's harder for you? What wasmore of a challenge writing a book
or recording an album? Writing abook, Yeah, you know, I'm
not a writer, except for lyrics, I think because I wrote all the
(05:50):
lyrics were sabb I think that's whathelped a lot, helped me a lot,
you know, because I'm used towriting lyrics, So the transition to
writing the memoir was I think easierfor me to do. Yeah, no,
that makes that makes complete sense.Gosh, when you think about the
lyrics, I mean the imagery thatyou helped create in that the generations of
(06:14):
kids that go into that heavier endof rock music. What was your biggest
influence growing up in Birmingham musically,Yeah, when the Beatles came out,
because over them, my brothers wereinto Elvis and Eddie Cochran, a lot
(06:34):
of the American rockers, and sowhen the Beatles came along, that was
my kind of music, my generation'smusic, and that was the biggest influence.
When I first heard the Beatles,I was like just totally blown away
and I just said, this iswhat I want to do in life.
I want to be either the FifthPeople or like them. There's a common
(06:59):
thread there. A lot of alot of really hard rock bands that followed
Black Sabbath all count the Beatles astheir heavy influence. So, I mean
the Beatles were great. I mean, you know, they sound a little
duop in the beginning, but itall evolved into you know the Beatles from
front to back. Just the rideyou take with them incredible. I wanted
to ask you, Geezer Butler,bass player, with Black Sabbath Into the
(07:20):
Void, is the new song?New song? I was about to say,
new album, your new book thatis out now everywhere you buy your
paperbacks. Have you seen the BlackSabbath bench in Birmingham, the new attraction
in Birmingham right now? Yes,Me and Tony Iomi, the guitarist,
actually went to open it on theyou know the Can you imagine what your
(07:44):
parents would think about that? Well? Yeah, I think hopefully they'd be
proud of it. Yeah, theyweren't too proud in the beginning. And
I call the band black. Youknow once when we were successful, I
were really proud of us. Ohthat's great. When did your parents pass
(08:05):
away? They get to see agood part of your career. Nineteen ninety
four my dad passed and not nineteenninety eight. Me. Mom, oh,
so you guys got to share lotsof great moments together. Oh yeah,
yeah. I used to send themwhen we had platinum, them in
gold and platinum albums made I havethe companies that make them for my mom
(08:26):
and dad as well. Oh thatis awesome. All right, now,
you're I told Donna, I toldStuck I was going to do this.
You're gonna love it or hate it. I gotta tell a besa here.
Yes, I'm just gonna hang upand listen from here. Okay, and
listen, I got I got abass player joke. Could you probably hurt
them all? How do you getthe bass player off your front porch,
(08:46):
Geezer, You pay them for thepizza. Oh, there it is.
He liked it. There it is. I love drop that on the next
group of young bass players you runacross. It's a hard life, kids.
You might end up delivering beats soalong the way. That'll be my
(09:09):
next That'll be my next job.I highly doubt that, but Geezer,
thank you so much for all theyears of music. And you guys are
all such wonderful British gentlemen, andyou know you represent the Crown and all
that so well. Thank you somuch for the time and good health to
continued success. Thank you very much. Stuck and Gunna, thank you very much.
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