Geezer Butler is known as one of the most influential bass players in heavy metal history. He earned his nickname “Geezer” from a habit of calling everyone by that name during school. His powerful, dark bass tones helped define the sound of Black Sabbath, where he also wrote many of the band’s lyrics. Butler is widely regarded as one of the greatest bassists in rock music for his deep sound and creative playing style.
Geezer Butler was born as Terence Michael Joseph Butler on 17 July 1949 in Aston, Birmingham, England. He grew up in a working class Irish Catholic family and was one of seven children in a household with modest means.
His nickname “Geezer” came about because his older brother used the term “geezer” (British slang for “man”) and Butler picked it up at a young age, using it at school and carrying it into his adult life. He loved reading and was deeply influenced by literature and religious themes, which later fed into his songwriting and lyrical style.
Butler joined the band Black Sabbath in the late 1960s and became their bassist and main lyricist. He helped shape their heavy, dark sound by writing songs about war, science fiction, and human nature, and by using a bass tuned lower than usual.
His bass playing featured strong root notes, simple but powerful riffs, and frequent use of a pick and wah pedal, techniques rare at the time for heavy music. Over the years he influenced many later bassists and contributed to Sabbath’s status as pioneers of metal.
Beyond Sabbath, Butler also led his own projects and joined various bands, keeping active in music across decades. His legacy remains in his unique bass tone and his role in creating a style that many bands still draw from today.
As of 2025, Geezer Butler’s estimated net worth stands around US$70 million. He made this wealth mainly through his work as the bassist and lyricist of Black Sabbath, one of the most successful heavy metal bands in history. A large part of his income came from record sales, world tours, and music royalties.