Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward – who is currently sitting out the band’s ongoing reunion citing contract disputes – has hinted at some of the specific reasons lying behind his decision to not rejoin the band in a new interview.
“I was offered a contact and I couldn’t sign it,” he tells Guitar International. “As for some of the stories – I would never, ever show up for a commitment that I could not do physically. So that should answer that one! In the statement that I did last year, I was quite clear that I came to the end of the road and promised myself and my family that I would never sign a contract that was not workable.
“It was one of the toughest decisions that I ever had to make. Because I absolutely and without question wanted to play. I haven’t left the band. Everybody thinks I have left the band. I didn’t walk out; it wasn’t like that at all! I just didn’t sign the contact and life took its own course.
“I’m the drummer in Black Sabbath so I want to do the entire show. I play all or nothing. Playing partially would kind of be aligning to my demise in Sabbath and minimize me. I’m the drummer in Sabbath and quite capable of doing the job.”
Read the entire interview at Guitar International.
In other Bill Ward news, the drummer is about to debut a fine art collection, called Absence of Corners, on August 1st. For more information, please visit www.billwarddrumart.com.
additional source: metalhammer.co.uk
36 Responses
I bet any money Tony and Ozzy thought they should get more than Geez and Bill…
There will never be another Black Sabbath with all that great material and its a complete joke that they couldn’t bring Bill . I would never go see these guys live.
I totally agree100% the money should be split equally. I wouldn’t drop a dime on the album or tour. The only reason tony and geezer are playing with ozzy is because Ronnie died. The heaven and hell material kicks ass , this Sabbath album sucks without Bill.
3 guys are in. One guy isn’t. So lets blame the 3 guys who are in. To suggest Tony and Ozzy would f’ over Geezer is plain stupid. Geezer is just as important as the other tow. By being offered a contract, Bill confirms that he’s an employee now . Doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be there. But stop with the Tony and Ozzy are greedy crap.
Pay no attention to the guy named ” DR “…
He like’s to be a troll and is mad I made a comment about” Fake Ki$$ ” …..
just wondering….What bands are up to your standards bigsled ??
Yes Bigsled. And are there any bands you actually can speak factually about instead of just trying to make your opinion a reality?
Bigsled, are you suggesting that Tony, Geezer, and Ozzy thought they would make more money by having a reunion tour without Bill? Or maybe you think Tony and Ozzy thought they would make more money by having a reunion tour without both Geezer and Bill. Either way, maybe you shouldn’t bet any money on your scenario, because its dumb.
BILL WARD: “I’m The Drummer In BLACK SABBATH”
Uh, no you’re not.
BILL WARD: “And Quite Capable Of Doing The Job”
Uh, no you can’t.
Enjoying painting!
Remember 1980 with Dio? Same situation. Probably a “let us give you a shot, if you can’t handle it then yer gone” contract, cheap too. Shoulda let him do 4 tunes per night.
If Bill wanted to be there, he would be there. How many times has he left the band now ? How many Sabbath albums has he played on ?
Well, it really doesn’t matter how many albums he played on does it? or how many times he has left the band? This has been dubbed a Reunion tour w. the original members of Black Sabbath, and as far as I know, Bill Ward is an original member. It’s not really an original members reunion is it..
I do agree, not a true reunion without BIll…..but, I think 13 is great and can’t wait to see them in Philly on 8/10.
How many Sabs albums has he played on? All the GOOD ones!