10 Replacement Hard Rock Singers That NAILED It (Or Just Didn't Fit)

Black Sabbath all but invented heavy metal as we know it and remain hugely influential on the sound to this day. Guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward were all masters their crafts, and in the early 70s, released a string of legendary albums with notorious singer Ozzy Osborne, including their self-titled debut, Paranoid, Masters Of Reality, Vol.4 and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.

But by the late 70s their wild partying and heavy drug use was beginning to take its toll, especially with Ozzy. The music suffered and their following albums were not so well received. The difficult decision was taken to fire and replace Osborne.

Rainbow’s Ronnie James Dio came in and although he was undoubtedly a fine singer, fans were understandably sceptical as it was unusual for such a successful band to replace a beloved front man.

However Dio’s arrival reinvigorated the rest of the band and they went on to create the classic return to form album Heaven And Hell in 1980, quickly followed with the equally as fine Mob Rules in 1981.

Ronnie James Dio left the following year, but proved it was possible for a band to experience success after parting ways with an icon. Dio would go on to play concerts with Black Sabbath from time to time, and also recorded the album Dehumaniser with them in 1991.