Black Sabbath Promise to Continue Reunion Without Bill Ward

2012-02-03

Story by Charles Ken

Sabbath say they have no choice but to continue recording without Bill Ward

Black Sabbath’s highly anticipated reunion hit a big snag this week when drummer Bill Ward wrote an open letter promising to leave the metal band unless he’s given a “signable contract” that “reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band.”

Now, Black Sabbath — including Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler — have responded to Ward’s letter and denoted that they will continue working on their new album and reunion tour without him.

In a note on Black Sabbath’s official Facebook page, the band wrote, “We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans,” they wrote. “We have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open…We are still in the UK with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll…See you at Download!!!”

Iommi was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, which forced the group to move their recording work from Los Angeles to England, where he’s getting treatment. While Black Sabbath already allegedly backed out of a major headlining gig at Coachella and their European summer tour is in unrest, they plan to fulfill their 2012 Download Festival obligations in June.

As for Ward, this isn’t the first time he’s parted ways with Black Sabbath. The band toured without Ward in 1997, but he rejoined the guys the following year. He also got into a contract dispute with the band in 2004 right before that summer’s Ozzfest tour, but he ended up playing the run.

In the open note, Ward also spoke to the thought of Black Sabbath continuing on without him: “If I’m replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.” Do you think the show must go on without Ward?

 




Charles Ken
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