OZZY OSBOURNE OFFERS HIS OPINION AS TO WHY BILL WARD DID NOT PARTICPATE IN THE BLACK SABBATH REUNION
Ozzy Osbourne spoke with Mojo magazine about original drummer Bill Ward’s decision not to participate in the band’s reunion.
The drum tracks on Black Sabbath’s first LP with Ozzy since 1978, 13, were recorded by Rage Against The Machine’s Brad Wilk while Osbourne’s touring drummer Tommy Clufetos filled the seat during Sabbath’s three shows last year and is currently on the road with the band in Australia.
According to blabbermouth.net, Ozzy explains Ward’s absence to Mojo, “I guess it’s to do with finances or something. But there was also another side to it. When Bill came along, we all had to ask, ‘Can he do an hour-and-a-half, two-hour gig? Can he cope?’ My suggestion was that we run through a set and see how he got on because he was so out of condition and the drummer is the most demanding job in the whole band. We looked at Bill, and he couldn’t remember what the fuck we were doing. But he didn’t come clean and say, ‘I can’t cut this gig, but can we work something out, guys, where I’ll come on but with another drummer backing me up?’ Or, ‘I’ll come and play a few songs.’ That would have been cool.”
He continued, “I get where he’s coming from, though. His pride was hurt and I get it. I really do get it. The guy will always be a dear, dear friend and a brother to me, but … He can’t be surprised that he didn’t get the gig. … You know them yellow fucking stick-on memo notes? He had them all over his fucking drums. I was like, ‘What the fuck’s that for, Bill?’ He said, ‘I can’t remember what I’m doing.’ I go, ‘How are you gonna remember out of those 500,000 bits of paper stuck all over your kit, which one you’re looking at, Bill?’ (He said) ‘I’ll know.’ Ah, OK great. I’m not gonna give Bill a hatchet job, but at the same time we haven’t got the patience to deal with it.”
Read more in latest edition of Mojo Magazine.
BULLSHIT!!!! BULLSHIT!!!! BULLSHIT!!!!! ALL YOU GUYS HAD TO DO WAS A STUDIO ALBUM WITH BILL WARD,WHO CARES ABOUT A STINKING TOUR WHEN ALL YOU GUYS DO IS PLAY THE SAME SET LIST TIME AFTER TIME.
EXACTLY ! EXACTLY! EXACTLY!
God is Dead? is a monster track. But it took me 3 listens to be hooked. Geezer was playing out of his mind. I like the galloping drum line, and Tony with his change-ups, was classic Tony. Brad Wilk was a good pick. This album will be huge, and worth the 35 year wait.
Ozzy sounds good, in the studio. Even my wife commented on how she noticed that they’ve always record OO INTO the music, not above or over it, like RJD. Sure, they’re too completely different singers but OO has that naturally occurring wickedly evil sound to his voice that blends so well with their lyrics and sound. And I can definitely make more sense of what he says when he sings, than when he speaks.
Not too impressed with the concert video from overseas in that OO sounds pretty rough and tired, while the others sound sharp.
Now if I can only figure which version of 13, from which retailer, is the one to buy from. The fact that the buyers of the Super Deluxe Wowie Kazowie Box Set don’t get ALL of the new material is bad marketing, real bad marketing.
Ozzy sounds good? Um, you do know he has a ghost singer? And has had for quite some time.
The only thing OO has done “for quite some time” is aged. Thanks for the laugh though, for a moment you almost thought you knew what you were talking about.
Bill is far better than Peter Criss & Kiss made that work for a few years.
its all business…sharon is money hungry but i guess thats what anybody wants in a manger
The you tube clips I have seen of recent shows..Ozzy’s voice is horrible and off key..and I’d be willing to bet he has teleprompters to remember his lyrics. It’s a half baked reunion for money..it’s a cash grab..there’s no honesty in it.