Bill Ward’s Black Sabbath membership is as hard to follow as Ozzy Osbourne’s lyrics. He was their drummer from 1968 to 1980, 1982 t0 1983, 1985, 1994, and finally, 1997 to 2012, a year before the hard rock titans recorded their requisite Rick Rubin comeback album, 13. Ward refused to join them, or to tour, over a “unsatisfactory contract.” Earlier this week, shortly after Black Sabbath’s “farewell show” become an Ozzy solo gig, Ward expanded on his reasoning.
It has to do with Ozzy. Here’s the Facebook note, in part.
There is always speculation about a true, original Sabbath lineup for the next tour or record. With a sad heart, I have to say I will not participate in any musical undertakings until a righting of the wrongs spoken against me has been achieved. I must admit, I have little to no expectations of this happening, but in the order of first things first, I’m looking for an honest accountability of all of Ozzy’s statements that I felt were untrue. I would want Ozzy to amend his opinions and exaggerations. I would want him to be forthcoming about his unrealistic viewpoints. And because I was chastised publicly, I would want him to amend publicly in his words, and not through an Ozzy representative, the nature of the wrongs. I would not want to continue on with him without this seemingly impassible dilemma being addressed. I don’t think previously strong relationships can remain strong after dispute by just sweeping the offensive stuff under the carpet, or by saying a puny sorry, or “oh, that’s all over now.” It doesn’t work like that for me. Righting of wrong works, and that’s what I want if I’m ever going to be his friend again. (Via)
The “untrue” statements Ward’s referring to date back to an interview Ozzy did in 2013, where he called his drummer “incredibly overweight” and expressed concern of his being able to “have done the gig.” Squabbling turned into middle school note passing yesterday, when after Ward’s message went live, Ozzy wrote one of his own, asking, “What the f*ck are you on about?”
I never wanted to discuss this in a public forum but Bill’s statements left me no option to but to respond honestly.
Wow Bill,
What the f*ck are you on about? I cannot apologize for comments or opinions I may have made about you in the press during Sabbath’s 13 album and tour — physically, you knew you were f*cked. Tony, Geezer, and myself didn’t think you could have done a two hour set with a drum solo every night, so we made the decision to move on. With Tony’s condition we felt that time was not on our side.
Bill, stop this smokescreen about an “unsignable contract” and let’s be honest. Deep down inside you knew you weren’t capable of doing the album and a 16 month tour. Unfortunately for you, our instincts were correct as you were in hospital several times during 2013. Your last hospitalization was for a shoulder surgery that you now say you’ve only just recovered from. This would have meant that our world tour would have been canceled. So how is all of this my fault? Stop playing the victim and be honest with yourself and our fans.
Bill, we go back a long way, let’s stop this now before it gets out of hand.
God bless you.
Love.
Ozzy (Via)
This is already out of hand.
Via: Rolling Stone
