Geezer Butler Retires

After more than 50 years in the music business, Geezer Butler has retired. The rock and metal pioneer shared the news with Rolling Stone during an interview about his new memoir, Into The Void. Butler told that magazine’s Kory Grow that he realized he was ready to be done before the pandemic struck in 2020 while touring with his band Deadland Ritual.

“I didn’t realize how hard starting from scratch is, especially when you’re used to your own plane and staying at the Four Seasons and the Ritz Carlton … and then you’re back in little clubs and getting on a bus together,” he said. “It just didn’t suit me.”

Butler added he might do one-off projects and special gigs, but his touring days are over, including any Black Sabbath activity. The bassist co-founded the pioneering heavy metal band in 1968 and would influence countless musicians with his melodic style and unique tone. Butler was also the band’s primary lyricist.

Aside from Sabbath, Butler played with Heaven & Hell, Deadland Ritual, Ozzy Osbourne, and his own solo project (going by g/z/r, geezer, and GZR). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.