Back in the late ’80s, guitarist Jimi Bell was poised to be one of metal’s next big stars, but after losing gigs playing with both Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath, he claims the latter never credited him on a song, nor compensated him, because “Tony Iommi apparently didn’t want a song by another guitarist on a Sabbath record.”

After Jake E. Lee was fired from Ozzy’s band in 1987, Bell was one of the many guitarists who auditioned to fill the role. Ultimately, the job went to Zakk Wylde, but Bell had another opportunity that came his way, through Sharon Osbourne, and it involved Ozzy’s old Black Sabbath bandmates.

“Even after the Ozzy gig didn’t happen, Sharon still believed in me,” he said, via Ultimate Guitar. “That belief led directly to Geezer and what became a whole new chapter in my

See Full Page