Billy Strings has recently opened up about the band that he incorporates into his live sets that terrified him as a kid.
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Surprise, surprise, it's Black Sabbath.
Black Sabbath has a frightening and legendary reputation. So it should be of little wonder that young Billy Strings was traumatized upon seeing them for the first time. And hilariously, it was his dad that introduced them to him.
In a recent interview with Rick Beato, Billy Strings told the story of first seeing Black Sabbath. He now incorporates the band into his setlist, but he hasn't always been on such good terms with the band.
Recalling a distant memory, he explains how it happened.
"I was 7 years old when he showed me Black Sabbath," he started. His dad showed him the first song of their first record on "his big stereo system."
Strings recalled the moment vividly, remembering how he felt when he heard the "storm and the bells" before the lyrics began.
"God, it scared the living s--t out of me, man," he said. "It traumatized me."
The demonic imagery was one that struck a chord with Strings. "I could see Satan, you know?" The picture was clear as day in his "little imaginative mind."
Hilariously, though, his dad didn't seem to notice how much it was scaring him.
Billy Strings Shared Music With His Dad
Although Billy Strings was not having a good time, his dad sure was. While Strings was freaking out, his dad was saying, "Check it out, man, you gotta listen." His father loved to enjoy music with him, and it showed.
"He would just be in his room, like, listening to some s--t, geeking out, and just wanted to share it with somebody," he shared. "And I was his dude that he did that with."
It's equally hilarious and heartwarming that his dad was trying to bond with him over music that terrified him. Ultimately, it served Billy Strings well, as the constant introduction to new music is what made him who is is today.
