Bill Ward just issued a lengthy statement on his situation with Black Sabbath. The short of it is that he’s not playing the three announced live dates. No mention was made about the new album, but if he’s not playing any of the live dates, I can’t imagine he’s working with them on the studio material, either. It’s a shame this all has to come about, but for those of you holding out hope that Bill would have shown up Saturday night in Birmingham as a surprise, that’s not happening. Below, read the full statement by Bill on the matter.
I do have a personal thought on the matter. If this really is what is going to happen, and there honestly is no hope of reconciliation, what Bill needs to do is this. Get bloody “Beyond Aston” out the door. Go out on his own fucking tour with the bands he plays on Rock 50. WardFest 2012! Make it happen!
Here is Bill’s full statement:
Dear Sabbath Fans and Fellow Musicians,
I sincerely regret to inform you that after a final effort to participate in the upcoming Sabbath shows a failure to agree has continued. At this time I have to inform you that I won’t be playing with Black Sabbath at the Birmingham gig dated May 19th, 2012, nor will I be playing at Download on June 10th, 2012. Further, I will not be playing at Lollapalooza on August 3, 2012.
It is with a very sad heart that I bring you this news. I am sincerely passionate in my desire to play with the band, and I’m very, very sorry that it’s fallen to this. This statement is even more painstaking to write, as I was particularly excited to play alongside Tony Iommi after the recent treatments he underwent. I wanted that to become a reality.
To express my thoughts about you, the Sabbath fans, I’m going to speak to you all through an experience my brother James had recently. My brother Jimmy lives in the U.K. When speaking with him a couple of days ago, he told me that an acquaintance had stopped him on the street and confronted him, “is your brother playing Birmingham? What’s going on? I waited in line with my son and paid x amount for the concert tickets.”
The man’s son is a young drummer. He’s going to see Sabbath, and he wants to see Bill Ward play drums. Upon hearing this news, I felt horrible. I couldn’t help feeling some resentment towards the failure to reach an agreement, the failure to remember where we came from, the failure to be as brothers, as we once were. To be clear, I’m not blaming the other guys or finding any faults with them. I would think it can’t be easy for them either, but this situation is just really sad. It’s sad that it’s come to this. “This” will surely leave a mark and be unwelcome to the memory. Hopefully “this” will heal and pass in time.
My heart sank when Jimmy told me about this young boy. I know this boy is going to be disappointed, and I don’t know how to amend it, other than to put my arms around the boy and tell him I love him. Sabbath fans have a voice and a face, to me you’re human, you have families and despair. You have ferocity and emotions and graciousness, and at this moment as far as I’m concerned you are also that young boy in England. I don’t know how to amend my part in these failings other than to put my arms around you and say I love you and let you know I’m very, very sorry.
Throughout this process, which began over a year ago, I have had to stand up for myself time and time again. I have had to stand up for myself and in doing so realize my actions indirectly, although unintentionally, are upsetting and hurting a lot of you. I know in my heart I couldn’t have done these concerts by agreeing the terms suggested. I made a solemn vow after the last European and Ozzfest concerts that I would never again enter into what was, in my opinion, a totally unsatisfactory contract. I have to stand for something, and as painful as it is, I’m doing it.
Earlier in April 2012, I’d been asked to participate “minimally” in the Download festival. I believe I’d been offered no more than three songs to play while another drummer presumably played the rest of the show with Black Sabbath. I was not willing to participate in that offer. I was not prepared to watch another drummer play a Sabbath set, while I was to play only three songs.
I found out about the Birmingham gig on Monday, April 30 through the Internet ad. I was taken aback somewhat by the date, and the fact it was Birmingham. Knowing the “signable” contract negotiations were at best in shreds, I was upset by the idea that the band was going to play Birmingham and play it assumedly without me. I had no prior knowledge of the date and location, and I felt totally excluded. We contacted the representative for Black Sabbath to see if something could be worked out. In the meantime my drum crew and I, along with our US endorsers, finished all the necessary planning for a swift departure to the UK. There wasn’t a whole lot to complete; we’d all been on standby more or less since mid-January 2012. The remaining work in the UK was confirmed done by our European and UK endorsers and we were good to go by Friday, May 4 2012. There were two stress points: firstly, getting an agreement in place, and secondly, getting to England in a timely manner. Jetlag time was taken into account as well as drum practice, a drum practice room in the heart of Birmingham, accommodation, and travel arrangements were all in place to meet with any band rehearsals that may have transpired before the Birmingham show. So far everything that had been arranged was on my dime, but we didn’t move ahead without a realistic confirmation.
Communications between the representative and my lawyer continued through the weekend of May 5 finalizing on Wednesday, May 9. The offer we received on May 9 was, “come to the UK, play for free and see how the first show goes.” I was tempted. Playing for free would not have been a problem for me, but “seeing how the first show goes” left an element of risk which could have affected Download. My ideal thought was to play in full the Birmingham show, in full Download, and in full Lollapalooza.
I had notified the representative that May 10 was my cutoff day in order to have good lead-in time for England. On the night of May 9 I asked for a brief letter to be sent to the representative asking to find out if we were at an end. On the morning of Thursday, May 10, I received a reply in the affirmative. After consulting with my advisors and crew a decision was made to let go and stop.
I can’t prioritize the Sabbath fans making one show more important than the other. I can’t do that. All of you are important. It’s all the gigs or none at all. I can’t come to Birmingham and “see what happens” knowing there is a risk of not being able to play Download or Lollapalooza. Again, for me, it’s all or nothing. I had to say “no” to Birmingham on the principle of wanting to play all the shows. Saying no to Birmingham is very difficult for me. My family grew up in Birmingham. Black Sabbath grew up in Birmingham. It’s still my hometown and I resent having to arrive at such a difficult choice.
Although the statement was made that, “the door is always open” for me, as explained above, walking through that door is not always as easy as it sounds. There are many complicated issues and unseen and unspoken agendas on hand. I can assure you, my criteria for a “signable” contract is based in mindful principles, respectability, and acknowledgement of my history within the band.
I hold no malice or resentment towards the other band members. I love them; I’m tolerant of them; I’m frustrated with them, as they may be with me. My fight has never been with them. I’ll love them forever. In my opinion, nobody wins this time; the band doesn’t win; the fans for an original lineup don’t win. Nobody wins, nobody. Even the ones who thought they did.
I didn’t want to make this decision, but I have to be honest and transparent. This is the statement I didn’t want to write; it’s the last thing I wanted to do. But, I have written it, and now it can go into the universe.
Since Spring of 2011, I’ve waited patiently and hopefully for a signable contract, you know the rest. I stand for the boy in the U.K., for the coming drum student, for all the drummers, who write their parts out and get stiffed on the publishing, I stand with the Sabbath fans chanting “Bill Ward” and asking “why?” and I stand with Tony and Geezer and Ozzy.
On a final note, even though I’m at an end with the upcoming announced concerts, I will remain with an open mind and a position of willingness to negotiate “signable” terms with Sabbath’s representatives in the future.
Stay strong.
Stay safe.
With all my heart and strength, I love you,
Bill Ward
Following on a separate page is a thank you message to some very extraordinary people.
Well, I want you there like most if not all Sabbath fans but, if you are not being treated the way you should then whats the point. don’t let them beat you into submission,
I wish you the best of luck as well as the other men in the band.
I admire, respect and support Bill.
The rest of it sucks. Bigger than anything else I can think of.
it’s a real pity it’s come to this but I, as a ‘complete sabbath’ fan remain hopeful because I really think that tony, ozzy and geezer will eventually come to terms with this great man and drummer. there’s no need for sabbath to stop now and I’m looking forward to seeing them in 2013 in full force and line-up.
I will still go to belgrade and wiena shows because if it were just geezer, or just ozzy – for me it’s at least a part of sabbath and something so magnificent and great as Black Sabbath has it’s worth even in it’s tiniest parts.
cheers from croatia
If they would want to come to terms, they would have. They are only playing 3 Shows this year. It shouldn’t be that hard to give him an equal share for these 3 shows and negotiate the rest later. Obviously they do not want to do that.
Well said, Joe :)
Who’s gonna be the a drummer?! like Joe, I would love a Tommy Aldridge, Lee Kerslake or I don’t know.I would love Jeff Martin.Not Cluffetos, I don’t say he’s bad, to me he isn’t the kind of drummer for Sabbath.Well see…
What a bunch of BS (no pun intended). This shows all that is lamentable about music today. “Play for free and see how it goes” my a$$! F— ’em Bill! Good for you! I won’t be spending my money on this crap!
Tony, Geezer and Oz could put an end to the BS immediately. They haven’t done so and so don’t deserve a “pass” on it . Their “representatives” do their bidding. A shame 3 very wealthy men feel it necessary to squeeze the piss out of Mr. Ward. For what in the end, a few thousand bucks more a piece. Shameful
Shameful indeed.Back to you Tony,Geezer,Ozzy….
Joe, “WardFest 2012” made my day! :)
You’re right, we’ve been waiting for his “new” album for so long. Now it’s about time. The sabbath machine seems to not working. At least not as I hoped it would.
But I don’t understand way the three other members are so silent. The feeling I have is that what was supposed to be a breathtaking reunion is not much more of another cash cow. I can’t see friendship or passion. And for a Sabbath fan that’s really disappointing and sad.
It sucks when business gets in the way of creativity!
Thank you Bill for all your time in Sabbath and this heartfelt statement!
-Mike
SHAM! SHAM! SHAM! AND SHAME!! Under no circumstances whatsoever will I have anything to do with a so-called ”Sabbath” tour or record without Bill Ward. I mean,I don’t get it.Whether it’s the lawyers,or Sharon or whoever,how can anyone deny Bill his due,monetarily or respect- wise or any other-wise? This situation has gone from revolting to disgusting to somewhere way beyond.Let me do a little simple math for all the eggheads responsible for this.100% divided by 4=25% EACH! What’s so difficult about that? I’m all for Joe’s suggestion for Bill to go out on his own-that is something I’d go see. But it will be a cold day in hell before I’ll spend even a penny to see a so-called ”Sabbath”(Tony,Geezer,Ozzy,and some guy on drums) concert,or on a so-called “Sabbath” album(without Bill?Really?LOL).To even think about putting the band’s name on the cover, or write the tunes, without Bill’s input just disgusts me.And I am not alone.Let’s face facts here.This might be the last time these guys have this opportunity,and to do it without the 4 guys who rose from the ashes of post-war Birmingham to take over the world with a new style of music just ain’t right.I don’t know if these guys even realize what a stain this may leave,if it hasn’t already,on the whole Sabbath legacy.And as a die-hard fan of 35 years,it just breaks my heart.
Bill,
I’m 42, live in Italy, and into Sabbath since I was 13.
I was lucky enough to saw you at the Astoria, in London, in December 1999, the year my son Jacopo was born.
Jacopo is now a little drummer that thinks Bill Ward is the best drummer ever.
When this year tour was announced we immediately bought tickets for your date at Gods Of Metal in Milan; when cancelled bought tickets for Download. That would be the last chance lo let Jacopo see you.
On the 10th of June we’ll drive 200 Km, catch a plane to East Midlands, will be at Donington Park, then will take a train from Derby to Manchester Airport to be back in Italy on the 11th of june afternoon.
Tomorrow I don’t really know how to tell Jacopo what I’ve just read.
Please Bill, “come to Birmingham and see how the first gig goes”. You know you’ll play Download. You know.
Thank you.
Luca
I am sorry, but something here does not compute. Bill writes a letter describing how he has been disrespected, and then he closes the letter by thanking Geezer, Ozzy and Tony? This doesn’t make any sense. If he’s being disrespected, those guys are the ones disrespecting him, they are Black Sabbath. He speaks as if the other guys were hostages of some evil power, give me a break. They are the ones treating him like garbage because of money!
If all this trouble is really about money, so Bill should come clean and admit that those guys are screwing him, period.
Shame on Sabbath…
My first concert was Black Sabbath on the Sabotage tour all those years ago. I wore that album out! Will never forget Bill”s hair flying behind the drums, seem to recall Geezer playing a Les Paul with wah during A National Acrobat, what a rock show, great memories!
I like the WardFest idea, or maybe Page, Plant, and Jones could use a drummer … wouldn’t that be payback Ha!
As a fan since the beginning, every time there is a reunion Bill seems to get the short end of it all. I hope the fans in the UK and US stand up and support Bill. For all you read from Tony, Geezer and Ozzy, they all say that the only Black Sabbath is the 4 of them – seems very hollow words to me. I just have a very empty feeling right now.
This “reunion” they tried to sell us is no more. What these lawyers and business people that are scripting Bills contracts fail to realize is what a special place Bill Ward holds in the hearts of Sabbath fans around the world. It is a love and respect that cannot be seen on sales figures and profit reports, it is special because it transcends business. It is resonated through music on albums, through performance and, as of late, personal testimony.
In 1992 I was at Costa Mesa CA when Sabbath was invited to appear at Ozzy’s (then) farewell concert, fans were aware that Sabbath had Vinnie on drums at the time and respected that. As fans drew from lot to gate, there was much talk on how “Bill should be here too” and much to the fans elation, he was. In 1999 when the first big Sab reunion was in Los Angeles, at the close of the show, Ozzy introduced the band to enormous cheers, then, when Ozzy introduced Bill, the crowd just erupted as Bill climbed down from his kit and waved. Through all the Sabbath drama in the late 80’s (and 90’s), he was missed.
I do not know the business politics behind what’s going on and I also do not know how much (or how little) control the other three members have over this. From what I (we) have seen is that Bill is the only one talking to us fans and I support him 100%.
Thank you Bill!
Please be well Tony!
Ben Gonzales
It is very unfortunate to hear this, i am still happy i am able to see geezer tony and ozzy on augest 3rd.
I’ve seen Sabbath around 30 times with more lineups that I can remember. When they walked onstage in Birmingham in 1997 and started War Pigs a little uncertainly I’ve never felt anything like it, it was electric, the expectation, the hope, the joy from the crown tempered with the risk that they woule srew it up was replaced by elation as the band rose and surpassed anyone hopes or expectations. The second night was fantastic, but not as special, but I was still overjoyed, I’d finally seen the real Black Sabbath.
I’ve seen the band at every UK show since then and they’ve never been as good as they were in ’97, there was never any new material other than Scary Dreams and I felt myself losing heart in my favourite band.
When I got the fan presale link it took me five minutes to decide whether I wanted to go to Birmingham again, by which time the presale was sold out. To touts. Next day, I didn’t even try, I had to go out and it’s been bugging me ever since.
Until today, now I ‘m glad I didn’t get tickets. Three quarters isn’t a whole, it isn’t Black Sabbath to me. I’ve seen too many rubbish lineups, I’ll never see another one again. I’m glad I didn’t get a Download ticket either, I’ll see Soundgarden another time.
Bill, maybe you’re better off out of it. But, FFS get off your backside and make some music for us. Ward One was the best solo album from any of the original members except maybe Blizzard of Ozz, use the talent and make us disappointed fans glad again.
PS, my first comment on here and I’d also like to say thanks to Joe for making this such a wonderful place to visit for all these years.
No Bill Ward = No *true* Sabbath “Reunion”.
Personally, I’m not into it at all without Bill.
Bill, good luck, stay true to yourself, and rock on!
I hope Sabbath will reconsider …either that, or at least stop calling this a “reunion”.
bill not.. drumming .. tony not well.. these 3 gigs should not happen…this is the end. stop ..NOW..! the legend that is sabbath is going to get a total kicking if this shit continues if these gigs go a head.. i feel poeple will see sabbath fall apart live on stage… a very sad end
sean may uk
Black Sabbath, 1967 – 2011. End of story. Go home, guys. You are not worthy of our respect anymore.
Amen to that Luiz! I love Sabbath, but this tears it. It’s over, call it a day.
Pains me to say this, but the show must go on :(
Ahh.. poor William, as I was reading the statement one was thinking an honourable way to reconcile the respect that Bill is due which he wants which is to play with Black Sabbath was to free your mind and play gratis – it is possibly a shame that Bill may not have first suggested this as an alternative as it would have been quite an altruistic gesture hard to refuse which would if it came to pass generated considerable bonhomie for everyone up and down the land. Genuflection of this kind to a greater cause is terribly good for the soul; it was with great emotion that Bill considers the whole in the statement. If Bill is watching it was great to be in the queue at the Dome (the old name for the Academy) and everyone was asking the latest news on the drummer, the 7 hours passed agreeably and if he was there to witness the stuff that is queuing up for a gig overnight – like the old days, and most of the locals from Birmingham, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton ..and at least one fellow born in Heathfield Rd- most of whom have not put their spare ticket on eBay .. Bill I hope to see you somewhere on Saturday as even you should not miss the event. I’ll be in the pub next to The Diskery (now in Bromsgrove St – since 1972)
Why haven’t the three of them have not stood up for Bill? They could have just stop and not continue with out him, what’s the point of being brothers, and what’s the point of being Black Sabbath if one of them is not present? How hard is it to show sincerity and stand up for someone whom you have been a friend in over 40 years?
I admire you Bill, we see right through your heart. To Tony, Geezer, and Ozz, fans still think it is all about the music, not business.
This is NOT Black Sabbath!
I wonder if the other members are unsure if Bill is fit enough to perform. With his past health issues it makes sense. That would explain why they wanted to see how the warm up show goes.
No Bill. Big deal. It won’t be the first time we’ve had a Black Sabbath without him. I realize he was probably going to get paid the least of 4 the members. But who hasn’t had to go to work for less than what they think they’re worth. I wish I got paid more too. I’m pretty sure it would have still been in the millions. Guess he’s sitting pretty good to not have to worry about a few million dollars. If it really broke his heart to let down that kid he could swallow some pride and just play the tour for the few little million they were going to pay him. Sorry but somebody needs to stick up for the rest of our Sabs instead of all this whining over Bill Ward. Don’t get me wrong Bill was a BIG part of the original Sabbath sound and I love his playing. But he’s quit so many times I’m just kinda use to it.
1980 Mid tour- Quit
1983 Quit after playing on ‘Born Again’
1985 Quit
1994/95 quit
1999 Had to take Vinnie on tour with them “just in case”
I for one was never in favor of a tour,reasons being expensive ticket prices,warm up bands,age of band members,blowing out ozzys voice,a hour&half at best from sabbath,same songs every time they get together& play.I much rather have a new studio album from original boys.It’s my opion that this problem has nothing but,LAWYERS,PROMOTERS,MANAGEMENT WRITTEN ALL OVER IT,THEIR NOTHING BUT BLOODSUCKERS & GREEDY ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ NOTHING MORE.
If I was bill,tony,ozzy,or geezer I would tell all parties involved YOUR FIRED were doing it our way,the feud is not between the bandmembers.Teptablehis is the one and only shot of a new studio album with original band,anything less than original members is not acceptable,so all LAWYERS,MANAGEMENT MAKE THINGS EQUAL AND STOP BEING SO GREEDY!!!!!!!!!
SCREW THAT TOUR & GET BILL ON BOARD!!!!!!!!!!!
TO SABBATH MANAGEMENT TAKE LESSONS FROM MANAGERS THAT MANAGE THE BAND CALLED RUSH THEY TREAT THE BAND AND THEIR FANS THE RIGHT WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This opinion will not be a popular one but
here it is. I, like all of you want Bill to be a part
of this reunion but something tells me that the
other members of Sabbath do not think Bill
Ward can cut it anymore as their drummer.
Don’t forget they did not use Bill on drums
during Ozzfest 97…….it can’t just be about
the money!
I just say thay the stupid Sharon is behind of this trash. Without Bill the original Sabs do not exist.
Sounds like my current employment situation. This is supposed to be a Black Sabbath reunion, not a “let’s see if Ward will accept our bad terms and conditions” tour. What the fuck is going on?
As much as I would like to see the full sab reunion again, there must be a reason why Bill has been unpredictable which requires the band to hire another drummer just in case. This sort of thing has been going on since at least 1980 when Bill would leave then return, leave then return. We heard in 99 they had another drummer on the tour just in case, but Bill did all the shows, looked strong, and was awesome. Part of why I don’t like Bill’s explanation, he talks of having a “crew” of employees prepared and ready to go do this and do that…… but I haven’t heard of Bil Ward playing anywhere at all for years and years. Correct me if I’m wrong. What does this “crew” have to do? Lug a drum kit? So I think that the rest of his story may be BS too. Bill Ward is the one preventing himself from playing, not some nefarious band management entity that’s trying to take advantage of him. The band should think about why they wrote “The Writ” and not allow management BS to ruin their life, and waste the Dio sentiment that has a lot to do with the logical next step of more Sabbath reunions.
I am travelling from the suburbs of Vancouver B.C. Canada to the UK to see this very show. Being a huge fan of Black Sabbath, I booked my yearly vacation based on this very Black Sabbath reunion. Now to get news that I might be seeing 3/4’s of a band that should honestly be 100% there on their home soil. PLEASE Tony , Terry, and Ozzy make this show an unforgettable moment for the minions of metal. I hope to tell my grandkids one day that I saw the “original” line up of Black Sabbath on thier home soil.
Now for another drummer to step in Bills place. How dare you even make that move. That spot was reserved for Bill Ward and Bill Ward only. Black Sabbath is the 4 men mentioned and no others.
I have been all over the internet today and have seen all the negative reactions from fans far n wide. There has to be that one ray of light that will allow Bill Ward to play and I am crossing my fingers that it happens.
If it dont, I really dont see myself coming back to Canada with any Sabbath goods. I am sure many fans feel the same resentment if they dont get a 100% Sabbath renuinon
Thanks you and Good day Billy B
SHIT!!!!! I mean, really! Who’s gonna replace him?
I’m so pissed off right now. Am I the only one feeling this way?!
‘Cause, seriously, I’m so fucking pissed off.
Like, WTF Bill?!?!?!
Reading all these posts just seems to point one thing out… True Black Sabbath contains the original four members and this is where it begins and ends… Take any one away and it is no longer the true Black Sabbath.
Ozzy said in his auto-biography that he doesn’t feel anything negative towards Dio regarding his replacement after Never Say Die – he just thought they should have called it Black Sabbath II.
Could you imagine a Beatles lineup without Ringo????
YOU CAN’t HAVE A REUNITED BLACK SABBATH ALBUM WITH BLACK SABBATH WRITTEN ON IT WITHOUT BILL WARD.
I was hoping for a complete Black Sabbath reunion and am very disappointed that Ward apparently will not participate this year in the shows just as everyone else here. However, I seem to recall some of this same sentiment after Ozzy left and Heaven and Hell and the Mob Rules didn’t turn out so bad. Heck Ward didn’t even play on Mob Rules.
I pray the original four will work out their financial differences, but am hopeful, even without Ward, some great music is going to get played live and I expect the new album to kick ass.
Hands up all those waiting for a new “Sabbath” album with Tony,Geezer,Ozzy and another drummer.Anybody?Okay,now hands up those waiting for a new Black Sabbath album with BILL,TONY,GEEZER and OZZY.Thought so.To accept anything else is a total misunderstanding of what Sabbath was(I cannot say “is” in light of the current situation,unfortunately).A complete insult to us,the fans,and a terrible way to end it.History will not be,nor should it be,kind.Love and respect to Bill.
– A Heartbroken Sabbath Fan –
Now, given the circumstances in my opinion the new Black Sabbath album is instead going to be an Ozzy solo album with Iommi on guitar and Geezer on bass. Sorry all without Bill on the drums this is not a Black Sabbath album and I am now completely un-interested.
Sad that it had come to this…
Stay strong Bill. I’m on your side, as thousands of others…
Saturdays tickets now in bin.
How the fuck can this reunion be so complicated? You would think that after all the trials and tribulations that these guys have been through they would love to do just one more gig! Ozzy, Tony & Geezer all seem like decent guys who would not want to rip off one of their oldest buddies so there must be something in the background causing this commotion. Surely someone must no of something that is upsetting the apple cart? Or is Bill (sorry dude) a bit ???
I really don’t understand how Tony, Geezer and Ozzy doesn’t have power, against whatever it is, to make it happen with Bill. They have all the money, fame, sucess…..At this point of his carrers and age I think that only one thing should matter: music and friendship. But I should be stupid or naive…..Always been a fan of Sabbath since early 80’s and love all the material from solo records of these guys…..but I can lie, I’m dissapointed.
Come on, be honest! Everybody knows about Bill’s somewhat fragile condition for more thana decade now. If that was the problem they would never have brought up this reunion talk, the 3 guys would have reunited with another drummer from the get go, just like H&H.
They want Bill, but they want Bill cheap and don’t want to pay his due 25%. Shame on those three guys as human beings, IF it really is only about money…
“Shame On You”! very sad, at this point I am very very happy that BS don’t play tour here in my country. Enjoy them in your country; I hope to listen Bill ward in studio for the new release; about me without him there is not reunion, there is not tour, there is not a new release. And they continue to tell us they are all friends together in each interview, in every book and biography. Lies.
What a shame for Ozzy, Tony and Geezer! Why do they treat Bill as if he were some kind of guest musician who never played a siginficant role in the band’s history? They seem to have forgotten who played on 8 records. I’m a Sabbath Fan from Germany and we Germans love classical Heavy Metal and we especially love traditional Black Sabbath. However, if the band announces a reunion of the founding members, then we want to see all of them on stage, not just three quarters.
I absolutely adore every lineup of Black Sabbath. The albums that Ronnie James Dio, Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes and Tony Martin did, are a bit more interesting to me than the progressive Ozzy-era. Nevertheless, the historical importance of the Ozzy/Tony/Geezer/Bill lineup is massive. No other lineup will ever come as close as them to what Sabbath is about. So f**** bring them together again! I can’t wait to hear new music from these guys – from ALL of them together!
And again the band keeps silence ….
I went to a hell to secure my place at Birmingham gig, I spent a small fortune, my plane for UK leaves in 15 hours, I’m coming from the other side of Europe.
Now I feel sick, I feel like a fool.
I’m sorry now that I went through all that and that I’ve spend so much money, to see “Sabbath” without Bill.
I would rather spend that much and went through all that to see Bill alone than the other 3 combined.
I love them all, but Bill somehow always manages to be be much better human being.
For 34 years now ,through all the various “Sabbath” line-ups,I,and we,the dedicated fans,have hoped and prayed for the 4 lads from Birmingham to make a proper “goodbye” album(bearing in mind the acrimony that was in the air for Never Say Die).Apparently 34 years is not enough time for lessons to be learned.To have this shit going on in 2012 is just really sad.To get our hopes up after all that time,and have it all devolve into this mess over money (apparently-no one other than Bill has bothered to communicate with us) and respect (undoubtedly) is a stunning rebuke to those of us who have waited,hoping, since 1978.Then to read a post like “Mate” above really makes one ill.And the longer this continues,the more ill I feel.My sympathies are with you, Mate.
P.S.
A note to whoever is responsible: No Tony=No Sabbath.No Geezer=No Sabbath.No Ozzy=No Sabbath.And especially NO BILL=NO SABBATH. Got it?
P.S.S.
A BIG THANK YOU to Joe Seigler for this great website,where the otherwise voiceless can be heard.
I JUST CANCELLED MY FLIGHT TO CHICAGO, AND PUT MY LOLAPALOOZA TICKETS ON EBAY.
PISS ON SHARON AND EVERYBODY THE FUCK ELSE WHO HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS.
GEEZ, OZZY, AND TONY – YOU ARE FULL OF SHIT….HYPOCRITICAL…PIGS.
GREED, MONEY, SADNESS….THE OSBOURNE WAY.
Know what? I’m changing my position regarding this whole story. I was supporting you until this statement, but will no longer be against a band I love because of one member that says he cares about the fans but acts differently. The ones who really care about us are the ones who will be playing for us: Geezer, Ozzy and mainly Tony – who even after going through a personal hell during the last months is still putting the fans in the first place. I’m cruising continents with my friends to see you, and you are letting us down together with that little boy. So no reason why I should stand for you anymore. I stand for Black Sabbath.
Um,in this context Black Sabbath doesn’t exist without Bill.Sorry.How much shit is Bill supposed to have tossed on him before he says “Enough!”? *cough*Sharon*cough*?Anybody who denies Bill is as important as any of the other members is,frankly, full of shit.If these guys really cared about Bill,and us,none of this would have happened.
THERE IS ONE THING I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND——- WHY IS BILL WARD HATED BY THE SABBATH PEOPLE??? I MEAN REALLY WHY WOULD THERE EVER BE A CONTRACT DISPUTE WITH THE 4 ORIGINAL MEMBERS ID LOVE TO KNOW WHAT THE OTHER 3 ARE PLAYING FOR CONTRACT WISE
SABBATH GOT SCREWED OVER IN THE 70’S BY MANAGEMENT AND IT SEEMS IT STILL GOES ON FOR SOME DOESNT IT
WHAT IT IS IT ABOUT BILL— I REALLY GET THE FEELING HE IS NOT LIKED AT ALL BUT WHY????
ID LOVE INPUT ON THIS IF ANYONE HAS ANYTHING VALID
THANKS
It was made SUCH a Big Deal after The Sabs got inducted into the RARHOF that Sabbath IS Ozzy,Tony,Geezer and GOD ( I mean Bill Ward…sorry) … so much so that the most recent incarnation of Sabbath was called HEAVEN AND HELL … NOT Black Sabbath as that EXACT SAME BAND was called previously. So… to further infuriate and disrespect The FANS (MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF THE PUZZLE) … they will go out with a different drummer , irregardless of who that may finally be , and call it BLACK SABBATH ???????? Does Tony , Geezer , and Ozzy live in the same universe as the rest of us?
The FUKIN Lawyers are to blame for sure…. but it is THE BAND that, I would think, ultimately holds the puppet strings to all this NONSENSE ! NOT ONE DIME WILL GO FROM MY POCKET TO THEIRS!!!!!!!!
Well, this is awful. Play for free and see how it goes? WTF is that?! Absurd.
I guess they’ll find a different drummer who will play for free then, just to be seen on stage as a “member” of Black Sabbath. Or a drum machine. Or maybe they’ll just pantomime the whole thing to the original records, and stick a mannequin behind a drum kit.
If I were any of the three other guys, I’d go “on strike” and damn any contracts – just let it be known that I would not show up. I bet that would give the “representative” a new perspective and maybe some purse strings would finally start to come untied.