Geezer Butler vividly remembered the pivotal moment when Tony Iommi introduced the iconic song “Paranoid” to his fellow Black Sabbath bandmates, who initially hesitated to collaborate on it. This legendary track, often regarded as one of the cornerstones of heavy metal, was an unexpected last-minute inclusion on their second album released in 1970. Guitarist Iommi later described it as merely a “filler,” expressing surprise that they had never created a song lasting just three minutes before that point.

In a recent interview with Classic Rock, bassist Butler elaborated, stating, “We were short on material, and Tony just kind of came up with the riff on the spot. But Ozzy and I thought it was too close to ‘Communication Breakdown’ by Led Zeppelin. … Back then, we were huge fans of Zeppelin, often found lounging on the floor, indulging in some smoke while listening to that first album. So, when Tony presented the riff for ‘Paranoid,’ Ozzy and I immediately recognized the similarity and said, ‘Nah, we can’t do that!’”

However, he made an important observation, stating, “That’s the essence of rock ’n’ roll – everyone encounters that phase, especially when they’re young and just starting their musical journey. It’s about putting your own unique stamp on it that truly matters. And Black Sabbath certainly achieved that.”

Watch Black Sabbath Deliver a Legendary Performance of ‘Paranoid’ in 1970

Listen to Led Zeppelin’s Classic ‘Communication Breakdown’

Butler also reflected on how the young band had much to learn during the vibrant 1970s. “The fact that ‘Paranoid’ evolved into such a massive hit for us – and is arguably now our most recognized song – speaks volumes,” he remarked. However, this success brought its own set of challenges, particularly when Sabbath appeared on Top of the Pops, the leading British television music program of the time.

“We felt like traitors,” he expressed. “Our intention was never to cater to the young audience tuning in to Top of the Pops. … We felt completely out of our element. At our concerts, we began to notice a surge of screaming young fans. When they were exposed to our heavier material, they likely panicked and fled the venue.”