Black Sabbath Reunion Continues Without Bill Ward
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
It turns out that the Black Sabbath reunion will only feature three of the four original members. Drummer Bill Ward recently announced his intentions not to play drums on the band’s new album and reunion tour, and the band has responded.
Black Sabbath Day in England?
Ward recently issued a statement to fans on his official website saying that he planned to withdraw himself from the band’s reunion, which includes a new album being recorded and a world tour that kicks off in May.
His main issue is clearly money, as his refusal to sign a contract and demands for a better one have led to his absence.
“I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I’ve brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning,” said Ward in his statement.
The band responded on Facebook saying they “have no choice but to continue recording without” Ward on drums. So that indicates the contract demands were either too high or just not feasible from a financial perspective. It all reeks of Ward not getting nearly as much money as Ozzy Osbourne and/or Tony Iommi and feeling disrespected as a result.
The fact remains that if anyone in Black Sabbath is replaceable, it’s Bill Ward. While he clearly has created some particularly great drum moments in classic Sabbath songs like “Fairies Wear Boots,” his work is what needs to be on-point and have the most energy on both the new tracks and the reunion tour.
Black Sabbath Announce Reunion at Press…
Can Ward give them that type of creative and physical intensity? Probably not, since a contract issue is enough to make Ward stop caring about reuniting with the only great band he’s ever been a part of.
It’s sad for money to be the deciding factor in putting a stain on the Black Sabbath reunion, but it’s great to know the remaining members are hard at work putting the new album together and will still embark on their tour this year.
What do you think of Bill Ward’s decision to back out of the Black Sabbath reunion? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Mick Foster
April 23, 2012 3:51 pm
Come on Bill. We are here on earth for such a short time and what is lost is lost forever. Countless fans such as myself who made Black Sabbath their favorite band in the 1970′s have yearned for years to see and hear this group back together again with new music and old alike. Only you can make this dream come true.