In what year was the band Black Sabbath formed?

Black Sabbath was formed in 1968.

The band began in Birmingham, England, with guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. Their early music grew from blues rock but developed a darker, heavier character through down-tuned guitar, ominous riffs, and horror- and occult-inspired themes.

The group did not initially perform as Black Sabbath. It first used names including the Polka Tulk Blues Band and Earth before adopting Black Sabbath in 1969. That name change can make the band's origin year seem confusing, but the formation of the core group occurred in 1968.

Black Sabbath's self-titled debut album followed in 1970 and is widely regarded as a foundational release in heavy metal. The band's early lineup is often called the classic lineup, although Black Sabbath later went through numerous personnel changes and periods of inactivity.