Geoff Nicholls of Black Sabbath dies at 68

J.G. Taruc

January 30, 2017

• 

  Photo credit: Hoyentv

  Black Sabbath’s longtime keyboardist Geoff Nichols dies at the age of 68 following a battle with lung cancer according to the Rolling Stone.

  Tony Iommi, the founding member and lead guitarist of Black Sabbath confirmed the news on Facebook: “I’m so saddened to hear the loss of one of my dearest and closest friends Geoff Nicholls,” He wrote. “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,” Iommi added.

  Nicholls started playing for the legendary rock band after Ozzy Osbourne’s firing in 1979. However, Nicholls only became an official member of the band until 1985.

  Nicholls left the band in 2004 when Osbourne returned to the band and hired Adam Wakeman, a member of his touring unit to replace Nicholls.

  Before joining Black Sabbath, Nicholls spent five years with British metal band Quartz, whose self-titled debut was produced by Iommi.

• COMMENTS