Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler arrested after bar fight Published duration 29 January 2015

image copyright PA image caption Geezer Butler was charged under his real name Terence Michael Butler

Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has been arrested in California after a bar fight, police said.

Officers were called to the Corkscrew Saloon on the Furnace Creek Ranch in Death Valley National Park shortly after midnight on Tuesday.

Inyo County Sheriff's Office said Terence Michael Butler, 65, was arrested for misdemeanour assault, public intoxication and vandalism.

He was released after "detox and citation", police said.

image copyright Frazer Harrison\Getty image caption Black Sabbath had their first number one album for 43 years in 2013

The Californian police department said an argument escalated into "a physical confrontation", resulting in an individual being struck and a window being broken.

Police gave Birmingham-born Butler's address as Beverly Hills, California.

The bassist later tweeted his thanks to fans after the "unfortunate altercation".

image copyright Twitter

Three original members of Black Sabbath , including Ozzy Osbourne, reformed in 2012 to headline the Download Festival.

At the 2013 Metal Hammer Golden Gods awards they won best UK band and best album for 13, which became their first chart-topping album for 43 years.