The first
heavy metal band(some also nominate
deep purple, and as you think about it you can see they have a little point, but...), who have since somewhat influenced every other band worth listening to. Black Sabbath songs are far catchier than songs by
The Beatles, far more rocking than
Led Zeppelin and with more power and less cheesiness than any
punk band.
Sabbath
Riffs are the riffs that count most. Each member of the band's original line-up brought something new to
rock & roll.
Tony Iommi showed the world that the guitar riff could carry a whole song.
Geezer Butler took the bass guitar approach of
Cream to the next logical step, obviating the need for the band to ever have a rhythm guitarist.
Bill Ward forgot that the drummer in a heavy rock band was supposed to play straight beats and stick to a timekeeping role.
Ozzy Ozbourne was, well, slightly mental, to say the least.