Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider has shared a surprising concert experience involving Black Sabbath and J. Geils Band on X.
A fan initially commented that J. Geils opening for Black Sabbath was something that “could have only happened in the 70s.”
“Actually…J. Geils band blew Black Sabbath off the stage,” Snider responded. “After booging with Geils, nobody wanted to slow things down with Sabbath.”
“People were leaving the arena in droves,” he continued. “I couldn’t believe it! I remember Ozzy screaming, ‘What the f*ck is wrong with you people?!’ I stayed to the end!”
J. Geils Band’s commanding stage presence was well-documented throughout the 1970s.
The J. Geils Band Tour Archives documented the group’s reputation for raucous live shows. Their performances blended blues-rock grooves with high-energy showmanship that frequently overshadowed other acts.
A notable demonstration of their stage dominance occurred during an August 1971 concert in St. Louis. J. Geils Band Historical Archives revealed their electrifying performance nearly incited a riot. The headliners, Ten Years After, were forced to shorten their set.
Black Sabbath’s official tour history confirms multiple encounters between the two bands. A significant meeting occurred at Nassau Coliseum in July 1972 during Black Sabbath’s Vol 4 Tour.
The bands also performed together at the Pocono International Raceway Festival that same month. They shared the stage with other prominent acts like Humble Pie and Three Dog Night.
