The fascinating journey of Geezer Butler with Black Sabbath is often summarized as spanning from 1968 to 1979. However, Butler himself claims that he experienced a brief dismissal from the band in 1977, a fact that seems to have been forgotten by the group almost immediately. This incident highlights the chaotic nature of life in the music industry during that era, where personal and professional challenges often intertwined.

Unraveling the Mystery: Why Was Geezer Butler Dismissed in 1977?

The 1970s proved to be an incredibly tumultuous decade for Black Sabbath, a period well-documented in music history. According to Butler, he was let go from the band for approximately two weeks during 1977. So, what led to this surprising turn of events? In a candid interview with LifeMinute TV, Butler explained, “Everyone was completely out of their minds all the time. We had achieved immense commercial success, selling millions of albums and selling out shows globally. Despite this, we were left feeling financially exploited and realized that our management was taking advantage of us.”

“It seemed like I became the scapegoat for all the turmoil – I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Butler further elaborated.

The Unexpected Circumstances of Geezer Butler’s Firing and Reinstatement

Recalling the moment he was informed of his dismissal, Butler shared, “Bill Ward came to my house and said, ‘Oh, by the way, you’re fired.’ I was taken aback and asked, ‘Why?’ He simply said, ‘You don’t seem into it anymore.’”

Interestingly enough, Butler did not harbor any resentment about being let go; rather, he found solace in the unexpected time away from the band. “I felt an immense sense of relief because the pressure was overwhelming at that time. Those two weeks turned out to be the most enjoyable I’d experienced in years! I could finally relax without worrying about the business side of music or the pressure of creating new albums,” he recounted.

However, this respite was short-lived as Butler discovered that his bandmates had completely forgotten about his firing. “A couple of weeks later, Bill called me up and asked, ‘Where are you?’ I was confused and replied, ‘What do you mean?’ He mentioned that they were rehearsing! I reminded him that I thought I was fired. He responded casually, ‘Oh, yeah – I forgot about that,’” Butler explained. When he arrived at rehearsal, nobody acknowledged the situation, and they simply continued as if nothing had happened.

Geezer Butler’s Candid Conversation with LifeMinute TV

Geezer Butler’s Enduring Legacy with Black Sabbath

Although the firing in 1977 turned out to be a mere blip in his career, Butler did leave Black Sabbath for a short period in 1979. He eventually rejoined the band in 1980 as they transitioned to a new era with Ronnie James Dio stepping in as the lead vocalist after Ozzy Osbourne‘s departure. Butler’s relationship with the band was marked by ups and downs; he exited once more in 1984 but made a brief return in 1987 before taking another hiatus. Throughout the years, he remained intermittently active with Black Sabbath, participating in various stints from 1990 to 1994, then again from 1997 to 2006, and finally from 2011 to 2017.

READ MORE: Ranking the Best Black Sabbath Albums: A Comprehensive Guide

Additionally, Butler was involved in the Sabbath offshoot, Heaven & Hell, alongside Tony Iommi, which featured early ’80s members Ronnie James Dio and Vinny Appice as they explored new musical frontiers.