BLACK SABBATH BASSIST GEEZER BUTLER APOLOGIZES TO BILL WARD
Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has apologized in public to Bill Ward for saying the ex-drummer had been invited to take part in the band’s final show.
Earlier this week, Butler stated in an interview that Sabbath had offered Ward the chance to appear with them just before they took their last bow on The End tour.
The bassist reported, “It’s been mentioned to him – but he doesn’t want to do it. He wants to do the whole tour or nothing.”
That led Ward to accuse his former colleague of making “inaccurate statements,” adding, “My management reached out to the Black Sabbath management to inquire as to whether or not they would like to discuss my participation in the tour. We were told there was no interest.”
Now Butler has tweeted, “It appears Bill Ward was never invited to do a last show – my mistake. Sorry @billwarddrums.”
His message has been applauded by some fans for its honesty, while others have reacted by encouraging the band members to discuss their differences face-to-face with no one else present.
Black Sabbath’s The End tour began on January 20th in Omaha, Nebraska. See the remaining dates below.
January:
30 Edmonton, AB Rexall Centre
February:
1 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome
3 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
6 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome
9 San Jose, CA SAP Pavilion
11 Los Angeles, CA The Forum
13 Las Vegas, NV Mandalay Bay
15 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
17 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
19 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
21 Hamilton, ON First Ontario Centre
23 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
25 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
27 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Australia/New Zealand:
April:
15 Perth, AU Perth Arena
17 Adelaide, AU Entertainment Centre
19 Melbourne, AU Rod Laver Arena
23 Sydney, AU Allphones Arena
25 Brisbane, AU Entertainment Centre
28 Auckland, NZ Vector Arena
30 Dunedin, NZ Forsyth Barr Stadium
Europe:
June:
1 Budapest,Hungary Groupama Arena
8 Berlin, Germany Waldebuhne
11 Donington, UK Download**
13 Verona, IT Arena Di Verona
15 Zurich, Switzerland Hallenstadon
17 Dessel, Belgium Grasspop**
23 Halden, Norway Tons of Rock**
25 Copenhagen, DE Copenhell**
28 Vienna, Austria Stadthalle
30 Prague, Czech Rep. 02 Arena
July:
2 Krakow, Poland Tauron Arena
5 Riga, Latvia Riga Arena
7 Helsinki, Finland Monsters of Rock**
9 Stockholm, Sweden Monsters of Rock**
12 Moscow, Russia Olympisky Arena
**Denotes festival appearance
North America:
August:
17 Wantagh, NY Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
19 Philadelphia, PA Susquehanna Bank Center
21 Washington DC Jiffy Lube Live
23 Holmdel, NJ PNC Bank Arts Center
25 Boston, MA Xfinity Center
27 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
29 Toronto, ON Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
31 Detroit, MI DTE Energy Music Theater
September:
2 Indianapolis, IN Klipsch Music Center
4 Chicago, IL Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
7 Dallas, TX Gexa Energy Pavilion
9 Albuquerque, NM Isleta Ampitheater
11 Salt Lake City, UT USANA Ampitheater
13 Portland, OR Sunlight Supply Arena
15 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
17 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
19 Hollywood, CA Hollywood Bowl
21 Phoenix, AZ AK-Chin Pavilion
additional source: classicrock.teamrock.com
“As the world turns, these are the days of our lives”
More like As The World Burns
They are showing footage of Bill on the big screen behind the band when they play “Rat Salad”. There’s video from their latest concert that shows that. It’s interesting they showed old footage of Bill playing drums during the song that incorporates a drum solo. It’s either a gesture of respect or a slap in Bill’s face.
Saw them last night and it was glorious. Even without Bill there you’re watching 3 undeniably huge legends. Yeah you’re thinking about Bill, but I’ve got to admit I didn’t care that much that he wasn’t there. BTW, they rocked.
I know I am supposed to be impartial, but that sounds like a backhanded compliment.
D 🙂
I think it is to. They showed old footage circa 1978. They played HAND OF DOOM (awesome!) then cut to the old video once they started RAT SALAD. With all that’s gone on between them, including them cutting Bill out of classic photos on their website at one point, it’s very strange for them to show footage of Bill playing during his signature song, then cut back to live footage once the drum solo kicked in. Since it’s on YouTube now, it’s only a matter of time until Sabbath is questioned about it and/or Bill says something about it.
This is obviously Sharon’s fault.
I hope the guys are able to resolve their differences before it gets too late and they are filled with much regret. The recent passing of some of our music heroes should be motivation enough….
I agree, and said something very similar, on an earlier story.
D 🙂
nothing like a bunch of senior citizens fighting like a bunch of children,WHO CARES……