Geoff Nicholls, Black Sabbath's keys player is gone

[syscokid]

Geoffrey James "Geoff" Nicholls (28 February 1948 – 28 January 2017)



Wikipedia:
Nicholls was originally brought in as a second guitarist when Black Sabbath doubted whether they would even continue under that name. Nicholls then switched to bass when Geezer Butler left briefly, and then became the band's keyboardist upon Butler's return and the decision to keep the Sabbath name. Nicholls' first appearance on a Black Sabbath album was on Heaven and Hell (1980), and he was credited as keyboardist on every Sabbath release from that time until 13 (2013),

 

[JohnnyGoo]

dang

 

[Gahr]

Rest in peace.

 

[Dave Sloven]

Yes I saw this a few days ago. RIP Geoff

He also played rhythm guitar in the wings for a few Sabbath songs live for a long time

 

[Dave Sloven]

Also don't believe the hype from Ozzy regarding his 'friend' Geoff ... truth is that Ozzy always kicked Geoff out in favour of his own solo band keyboardist as a condition of returning to Sabbath. Geoff was too firmly in Tony's corner for Sharon and Ozzy's liking. Geoff played on all the releases and tours that didn't feature Ozzy.

 

[eSGEe]

RIP ----yet another joins the band in the Sky.

 

[Alex_SG]

Yep. Another one for the Party Band in the sky. Can't wait to hear a gig there!

 

[bea]

Yep. Another one for the Party Band in the sky. Can't wait to hear a gig there!

Mhmm... i would rather like to wait until that band is really complete. At least ...

 

[syscokid]

Also don't believe the hype from Ozzy regarding his 'friend' Geoff ... truth is that Ozzy always kicked Geoff out in favour of his own solo band keyboardist as a condition of returning to Sabbath...

I remember some of that stupidity. But that was more than 35 years ago. I hope that age, maturity, and bouts of sober-ness has warmed the hearts...

 

[Six String]

Sad loss.......... RIP

 

[Dave Sloven]

I remember some of that stupidity. But that was more than 35 years ago. I hope that age, maturity, and bouts of sober-ness has warmed the hearts...

Geoff joined for Heaven and Hell and was in the band from then right through Forbidden until the first reunion with Ozzy, and was playing in the lineups with Ozzy for Ozzfest up until 2001. Then in 2004 it was decided that Adam Wakeman (who was touring with Ozzy) would be the keyboard player. To be honest I don't know how much of this involved Tony Martin. Geoff was working with Tony Martin once he started doing stuff again, and I think Tony Martin was pretty annoyed by how the reunions with Dio (1992) and Ozzy (1997) went down. Geoff was very loyal to Tony Martin, who he had worked with for ten years