Black Sabbath was formed by 4 English musicians.
William Thomas `` Bill '' Ward ( born 5 May 1948 ) is an English musician and visual artist , best known as the original drummer of the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath . Black Sabbath were an English rock band , formed in Birmingham in 1968 , by guitarist and main songwriter Tony Iommi , bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler , singer Ozzy Osbourne , and drummer Bill Ward . Terence Michael Joseph `` Geezer '' Butler ( born 17 July 1949 ) is an English musician and songwriter . John Michael `` Ozzy '' Osbourne ( born 3 December 1948 ) is an English singer , songwriter , and actor . Anthony Frank `` Tony '' Iommi ( [ aɪ ` oʊmiː ] born 19 February 1948 ) is an English guitarist , songwriter and producer .