Some things are obvious, and some things must be explained. If you can spare the time, then allow me to explain. The 2008 release of
Iron Man did not only change the cinematic landscape as we know it, drastically alter the comic book world, and singlehandedly revive the career of 80's dreamboat Robert Downey Jr. The release of this film signaled yet another cultural touchstone, although one far less mentioned. Yet if Frost's words about roads less traveled are more than just trite screeds to adorn sterile classroom walls, we best take heed and follow the footsteps of four lads from Birmingham. Allow me to explain.
Downey Jr's character was one Tony Stark. For younger readers, allow me to explain that Tony Stark is best likened to an Elon Musk figure who actually possessed what Musk so desperately craves. Swagger, charisma, abrasiveness, and most of all,
heaviness. If humans can be represented in terms of amplification, surely Stark's powerful space suit made out of iron is the personification of being "turned up to 11." Yet for all the things we as audience members are meant to notice about Tony Stark's brash yet swag figure and state of mind, some viewers like yours truly are also students of the history of music. I couldn't help but notice one particular detail, that being Tony Stark's Black Sabbath t-shirt in the film. A cinematic masterpiece that with no hyperbole changed everything features practically the world's most expensive ad for one of the greatest bands of all-time, and no one out there has given enough of donkey's behind to pen an essay? Allow me to explain.
While the influence of Black Sabbath need not be explained in 2024, allow me to explain the fact that these four working class lads from Birmingham came out swinging against all odds from one of England's toughest towns. This is not too far off from the origins of one Tony Stark, who grew up not as rich as he is in the
Iron Man films and was able to build himself up into a very rich man. Yet if one combines the net worths of the four original members of Black Sabbath, let me explain that you'd have your own formidable "Iron Man" made out of cash, big enough to trap Nic Cage and set him ablaze with the hypnotic and goliathan riffs on display with Black Sabbath's
Paranoid. The fact that they've come far enough to be represented by a billionaire robot crime fighter who spawned the most profitable film series that makes
Gone with the Wind look like
Gigli says it all about Black Sabbath.
