Chad Smith’s opinion on Black Sabbath

Formed in Birmingham, England in 1968, Black Sabbath changed music when they released their self-titled debut album with a heavy sound and doomy lyrics that made many listeners scared. Their successful career also helped them to become one of the best-selling bands of all time with more than 75 million records sold worldwide.

Sabbath is an influence to many generations of musicians and over the decades many of them gave their opinion on the British group, including Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith.

What is Chad Smith’s opinion on Black Sabbath

During a conversation with Planet Rock back in 2019 (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage), the Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith praised Black Sabbath and recalled how was his first experience hearing them back in the 70s. “Black Sabbath it’s the music that really to me. It’s the music that I would come after school and play very, very loud just to f*ck my parents off. They were obviously the heavy, heavy, heavy band, the sound of Tony’s guitar and just everything about.”

“It really affected me and I love it. That record ‘Vol. 4’, which you miss these days with vinyl, you would look at these pictures of Ozzy doing his thing, he’s got his arms out. There’s a small theater and picture of Bill Ward, he’s got the little thing at jump sticks next to his kittens, sweaty head and a white shirt.”

“I can remember everything about all those pictures. So I would sit there and put the music really, really loud. I would look at the record and lay there. (I would) be able to identify with the music and have the visual. That’s just a great record,” Chad Smith said.

He recorded with Ozzy Osbourne

Chad Smith was lucky enough to have the chance to be the drummer of “Ordinary Man” (2020) and “Patient Number 9”, the two most recent solo albums of the original Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne. Besides Smith, those records also had Elton John, Post Malone and Guns N’ Roses’ guitarist Slash and bassist Duff McKagan. Also Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mike McCready, Zakk Wylde and Tony Iommi.

He wanted to play at the final Black Sabbath album “13” that didn’t had Bill Ward. He lamented in an interview with Rhythm back in 2013, saying: “I think every drummer is bummed they didn’t get to play with Black Sabbath. It’s a shame that Bill Ward didn’t, for whatever reason. I don’t know and I won’t even conjecture. It’s unfortunate when any band like that and the original members get back together. For whatever reason they can’t work out. I think Brad did a great job. I’m really happy for him. I love Brad – awesome drummer.”

Over the years Chad Smith had recorded with many other famous musicians like Glenn Hughes, Johnny Cash, John Fogerty, Kid Rock, Eddie Vedder and Lana Del Rey.