Geezer: Bar brawl was ‘unfortunate’

Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has described his arrest following a bar brawl as an “unfortunate altercation.”

He wound up behind bars on Wednesday after an incident at the Corkscrew Saloon at Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley, California. A man was struck and a window smashed, according to official reports.

Inyo County Sheriff’s office released him after he’d been cited for misdemeanour assault, public intoxication and vandalism.

Butler says via Twitter: “Thanks for your messages and support following the unfortunate altercation that occurred.”

And he’s posted a picture of himself sitting in front of a ghostly figure and a bike, with the caption: “After that little distraction.”

The 65-year-old is expected to rejoin Sabbath bandmates Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi to record their final album in the coming months. It’s not known whether Bill Ward will take part. Sabbath are the cover stars of the latest edition of Classic Rock Magazine, on sale now.

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.