But Paranoid describes somewhat better what those musicians have gone through on a personal level. Ozzy included: alcoholism. And no doubt i was already going to mention the exceptional nature of the drumming that seem to stand apart from the rest of the band talent wise. i was just going to comment on their musicianship in a separate post. Since you have already mentioned it here, perhaps i need say little more about that. Although it is quite evident that Bill Ward who founded the band with other members in 1969 has a remarkable talent and his ability reflects the incredible jazz drummers from the Big Bands of the 40's who he was influenced by.
Sorry I couldn't let this go. Now BW's drumming is pretty good, but in those days he was just a basher in a sense that he pushes into the skins vs. pulling the sound out and had very little control and finesse. Ian Paice was so much tighter and clever.
If he was influenced at all by early jazz drummers, (which most late 60's/early 70's drummers were), it would have been late 50's early 60's jazz. They all listened to Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Art Blakey, Philly Jo Jones. If you listen closely to Joe Morello, you will see exactly where John Bonham got some chops, and most importantly, how to tune and play a drumset: [from 11/16/1962]
https://youtu.be/hs_obthXCkQ?t=127
I saw Sabbath in '74. Iommi is the stand out in this band IMO. He drove it, even Ward just mostly just followed along.
