Geoff Nicholls (Black Sabbath) - (1948–2017)

Geoff Nicholls (February 28, 1948 – January 28, 2017)

When heavy metal music fans think of Black Sabbath, they may not think of Geoff Nicholls, but they know Geoff without perhaps being aware that they do. For instance, fans that have copies of Black Sabbath's Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules know that Geoff is not in the band pictures; however, when you turn your attention to the album sleeve or CD sleeve to read the personnel information, you will definitely notice the line:

"All keyboards played by Geoff Nicholls."

Later on in the history of Black Sabbath, in the 1980s after Ronnie James Dio left, Geoff's contributions to Black Sabbath were showcased more prominently. During that period, Geoff's work gave those wonderful albums a smooth richness and an extra melodic atmosphere that the more attentive fans have appreciated throughout the years.

Below you will find the Wikipedia and Blabbermouth articles about Geoff, and an article by a friend of Geoff.

Geoffrey James Nicholls (February 28, 1948 – January 28, 2017) was an English guitarist and keyboardist, and longtime member of Black Sabbath until 2004. Nicholls also played in the NWOBHM band Quartz before joining Black Sabbath. In the 1960s/early 1970s, Geoff played lead guitar/Keyboards for the Birmingham bands The Boll Weevils, The Seed, Johnny Neal and the Starliners, Bandy Legs, Jimmy Helms, Willie Basse and played keyboards for World of Oz (an English psychedelic pop band from the 1960s).

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 Forbidden (1995), although he was not an official member until 1986. He remained an official member until 1991, then regained member status from 1993 to 1996. He was an unofficial member once again since the reunion with Ozzy Osbourne in 1997. Although his main role with Sabbath was on the keyboard, Nicholls also played some rhythm guitar on the reunion tours, e.g., during Iommi's solo in "Snowblind" and a few tracks during the Headless Cross (1989) and Forbidden (1995) tours.

Nicholls' touring involvement with the band ended when Adam Wakeman (a member of Ozzy Osbourne's solo band) was chosen to play keyboards during Sabbath's 2004 and 2005 tours as part of Ozzfest, and Scott Warren (Dio) handled keyboard duties on the 2007 Heaven & Hell tour. Until his death, Nicholls played keyboards with former Black Sabbath singer Tony Martin, in his band Tony Martin's Headless Cross. Nicholls had performed on Martin's first two solo albums Back Where I Belong and Scream, and their support tours.

Nicholls died from lung cancer on 28 January 2017, aged 68, surrounded by his family. "Geoff was a real true friend and supported me all the way for nearly forty years," said Tony Iommi. "I will miss him dearly and he will live in my heart until we meet again."

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Former BLACK SABBATH Keyboardist GEOFF NICHOLLS Dies After Battle With Lung Cancer January 28, 2017

Former BLACK SABBATH keyboardist Geoff Nicholls died this morning after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 68 years old.

Nicholls's passing was confirmed by SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi, who wrote about his former bandmate: "I'm so saddened to hear the loss of one of my dearest and closest friends Geoff Nicholls. He's been suffering for a while now with lung cancer and he lost his battle this morning. Geoff and I have always been very close and he has been a real true friend to me and supported me all the way for nearly 40 years. I will miss him dearly and he will live in my heart until we meet again. Rest in peace, my dear friend."

Added SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler: "Very sad to hear of old friend and SABBATH keyboard player Geoff Nicholls passing. RIP Geoff."

Said SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne: "Geoff Nicholls was a great friend of mine for a long time. He will be greatly missed. I'm very saddened at the news."

Nicholls, who played keyboards on all of SABBATH's albums between 1980 and 1995 and toured with them, was reportedly in remission from cancer at the time of his death but succumbed to the side effects of chemotherapy.

Nicholls's first appearance on a SABBATH album was on 1980's "Heaven And Hell". Although his main role with SABBATH was on the keyboard, Nicholls also played some rhythm guitar at concerts. In addition to not always being credited as a full member of the band, Nicholls rarely appeared on stage during SABBATH shows and would instead play on the side of the stage or backstage.

Nicholls's involvement with the band ended when Adam Wakeman (a member of Ozzy Osbourne's solo band) was chosen to play keyboards during SABBATH's 2004 and 2005 tours as part of Ozzfest.

Nicholls also played keyboards with former BLACK SABBATH singer Tony Martin in his band TONY MARTIN'S HEADLESS CROSS and performed on both of Martin's solo albums.

Martin said: "Saddened to hear of the passing of Geoff Nicholls... keyboard player and friend from SABBATH. Safe journey, mate."

Before joining BLACK SABBATH, Nicholls was member of the NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) band QUARTZ, whose 1977 debut album was produced by Iommi. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Geoff played lead guitar for the Birmingham band JOHNNY NEAL AND THE STARLINERS.

"I'm so saddened to hear the loss of one of my dearest and closest friends Geoff Nicholls. He's been suffering for a while now with lung cancer and he lost his battle this morning. Geoff and I have always been very close and he has been a real true friend to me and supported me all the way for nearly 40 years. I will miss him dearly and he will live in my heart until we meet again. Rest In Peace my dear friend."

Tony

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Reflections on Geoff Nicholls

JANUARY 28, 2017 BY JOE

Today has been an odd day for me. I woke up to an email from Tony Iommi’s management telling me that Geoff Nicholls had died. After I got the word out there, I started contacting others. Former Black Sabbath band mates, and other people I knew that knew Geoff. One of which was Jamie Mallender. Jamie played with Geoff in Tony Martin’s solo band some years back. The last time time Tony Martin put out a solo album (Scream), Jamie played bass on the tour and live shows around that time. So Jamie knew Geoff well. Tonight after a gig that Jamie played, he shared a very awesome reflection on Geoff and his time with him. This is an great story, take some time to read it, it was most kind of Jamie to share. All the pictures come from Jamie as well.

Geoff Nicholls. 28.02.1948. – 28.01.2017.

Musician, Funny Man and Friend.

When I was a teenager and suddenly all I was interested in was music, Ozzy Osbourne was a solo artist and Black Sabbath had Tony Martin on vocals and of course, Geoff Nicholls was the invaluable offstage extra band member. So to me, that was what Black Sabbath sounded like. Tracks like The Shining and Headless Cross, resplendent with the gloss Geoff’s musicianship brought to the band were always on my stereo at that time. I discovered the other Sabbath stuff later. So for me, to suddenly get to be in a band with Tony Martin and Geoff Nicholls and be up there, playing those songs on tour on stages all over the world was like a dream come true. Now, they say you should never meet your heroes, and I’ve met many of mine, even worked with some of them. But I can tell you truthfully that knowing and working with a Geoff was nothing but a pleasure. Geoff was a big hearted, kind guy – a big softy. He loved music and he loved to make people laugh. The jokes never seemed to stop coming, he could really be the life and soul and if he wasn’t joking around he was telling us one of his many many road stories. Sometimes I really wanted him to shut up because my sides were hurting.

People tend to think of Geoff as a keyboard player, but essentially, he was musician. He could turn his hand to a lot of different instruments, he could sing, he had an amazing ear, he was a great writer – and he did it all with and endearing humility. It didn’t matter who he’d worked with, he was just Geoff.

Danny Needham and I once spent a day at Geoff’s where he fed us and showed us some music he’d been working on for a TV show, beautifully constructed instrumental stuff. He showed us some of his old instruments, platinum disks and tour shirts from old tours. He also told us about some of the pitfalls of the industry and gave us some advice of how to survive when the nasty stuff happens. And when Danny and I headed off into the city at night to sample a few beers, he gave us directions and a key, and told us to be careful like a loving parent.

When the band ceased to be, Geoff and I kept in touch with the occasional e-mail or phone call. He sent me funny stuff and always asked after my family. He used to remind me that Birmingham wasn’t actually that far from Sheffield and that if I was playing out that way I should call for a cuppa and a catch up. I always said I would and of course, I intended to. But I’m sad to say that I never got on with it. When you’re in about 15 bands and you’ve got kids and responsibilities it’s always next time I’m out this way…. Next time I’ll make sure I make time. There’s a lesson to be learned there.

When you’re on the road with a band, there are always experiences you share that result in certain catchphrases, band sayings and maybe in-jokes. When we were in a restaurant with Geoff, he would always ask (no matter what the meal was) for some chips (fries) with it, orange Fanta and ketchup. I think he had ketchup on just about everything. Whenever Danny and I speak of Geoff we always say, “can I have some fries with that,” or simply shout, “ketchup!” I dunno, maybe that’s not even mildly amusing to read, but if you’d ever been on the road with Geoff it would be. So anyway, another stellar musician has left us. I wish I’d known him longer, I wish I’d worked with him more, I wish I’d called for a cuppa. My life was very much enriched for having known him. I thought of Geoff onstage tonight with The John Verity Band. We were playing, “The Devils Music,” from the “My Religion” album. I remember when I recorded the bass, thinking Geoff would have really liked that line. Anyway, goodbye Captain Ketchup, you’ll be sadly missed. So raise a glass to Geoff people, stick Headless Cross on and pay your respects.

Jamie Mallender 28.01.2017.

Black Sabbath - Die Young

Black Sabbath - The Shining (Official Audio)