Watch Black Sabbath play Paranoid in 1970

black sabbath in 1970
(Image credit: Getty)

Black Sabbath have released their performance of classic track Paranoid on UK TV show Top Of The Pops in 1970.

It was recorded around its UK release date in August of that year, before the album of the same name reached the number one position the following month – an achievement they didn’t repeat until 13 was launched three years ago.

British veterans Black Sabbath are nearing the end of their final tour, which closes in their home city of Birmingham in February. But guitarist Tony Iommi last week reported that festival appearances, or even another album, weren’t entirely out of the question.

Meanwhile, frontman Ozzy Osbourne has paid tribute to former CBS Records exec Tony Martell, who has died at the age of 90.

The vocalist tells Billboard: “It saddened me to hear of my friend’s passing. Tony was the only executive to believe in me when he signed me to Epic Records as a solo artist in 1980.”

His wife Sharon adds: “Tony was one of the few good ones where you thought, ‘Are you really in the music industry?’

“When Ozzy started people turned him down because there hadn’t been a lead singer that had left a band and become successful.

“But Tony believed in him and signed him – and how many years later are we? And we’re still signed to Epic and it’s all down to Tony.”

Black Sabbath: The End world tour remaining dates

Nov 30: Curitiba Pedrerira Paulo Leminski, Brazil
Dec 02: Rio Praca Da Apoteose, Brazil
Dec 04: Sao Paulo Estadio Do Morumbi, Brazil
Jan 20: Dublin 3 Arena, Ireland
Jan 22: Manchester Arena, UK
Jan 24: Glasgow SSE Hydro, UK
Jan 26: Leeds First Direct Arena, UK
Jan 29: London O2, UK
Jan 31: London O2, UK
Feb 02: Birmingham Genting Arena, UK
Feb 04: Birmingham Genting Arena, UK

Black Sabbath Quiz: How well do you know Paranoid?

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.