Bill Ward Out of Sabbath Reunion Plans

[ComaDivine]

(Damned vegans. You can't trust the lot of 'em.)


The legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath has lost its rhythm.

Original drummer Bill Ward has — at least temporarily — dropped out of the highly touted album and tour that would have reunited the group’s original lineup.

The 63-year-old Ward released an open letter Thursday to "Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties" stating he couldn't proceed "unless a 'signable" contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band."

Metal fans had been buzzing about the Black Sabbath reunion since last August's announcement that original vocalist Ozzy Osbourne was returning to the fold three and a half decades after being tossed from the band. The importance of the album, produced by Rick Rubin, was ratcheted up last month with the revelation that Iommi was battling lymphoma.

The original lineup's first new album was due to drop in the fall, but that timing has been muddied by Iommi's health — and now by Ward's move. The band had been expected to start recording soon in an Birmingham, England, studio closer to the guitarist's home.

The reunion tour was set to have kicked off May 18 in Moscow.

"The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on," wrote Ward. "If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician.”

Ward insisted he's not holding out for money, but rather a contract that showed "respect" to his contributions to the band over the years.

“When we first got together in Birmingham, England, we knew we had something special," Ward told The News in 2010. “Tony and I had always played together since we were about 15 years old. We had gone through lots of different bands and we were looking for a new singer when we noticed an advertisement for Ozzy, so we went to visit him. We loved how Geezer [Butler\] played bass; we used to watch him in the overnight sessions that we had in our home town. And so the three of us went to Ozzy's, and that was it. It was instant.

“I knew that we were into something different, and I really loved what we were into, the sound and the religious and political imagery, but I didn't speculate much about it at the time. I just thought, ‘Wow, whatever this is, I love it, I want to be into it for the rest of my life.’

A lot has changed, however, since Ward's teenage years in Birmingham.

"If I'm replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans," wrote Ward. "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."

WARD’S FULL STATEMENT:

Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,

At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a "signable" contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another "unsignable" contract was handed to me.

Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.

Since the news of Tony's illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I've spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I've tried to find out what's going on with the U.K. sessions, I've realized that I've been getting "the cold shoulder" (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what's happening unless I sign "the unsignable contract."

The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

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.

So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I'm good to go IF I get a "signable" contract. I don't want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

My position is not greed-driven. I'm not holding out for a "big piece" of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I'd like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I've brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.

That's the story so far.

Stay safe and stay strong.

I love every single one of you.

— Bill Ward



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...#ixzz1lGMlIbmc

[R. Evans]

Always something with these guys.

[DrMaddVibe]

Hmmmm...asking him to sign away his rights...in order to play a reunion concert tour?

Sounds like another Michael Anthony deal in the making!

[SparkieD]

Always something with these guys.

Yes, and it's name is Sharon (fucking bitch!)

[DrMaddVibe]

What if it's not her?

What if it's the Iommi Estate going for the cash grab because of his imminent death? I hate to sound gruesome about it but at his age it doesn't sound like something he's going to be able to beat.

[Ten Years Gone]

Or what if it's a negotiating tactic from the Ward camp. All these guys have their own managers. It's funny how peope think these reunions are just a bunch of old pals getting together to jam in somebody's garage. This is a multi-million dollar deal to cash in on the Sabbath legacy one more time.

[Ten Years Gone]

Yes, and it's name is Sharon (fucking bitch!)

Do you really think Ozzy would be around to do a reunion tour if not for Sharon?

[SparkieD]

Do you really think Ozzy would be around to do a reunion tour if not for Sharon?

Don't care to tell you the truth. Ozzy is only as good as the guys playing with him. He has zero integrity, mostly because of her, but also because he has become little more than her yes-man. I just don't think his twat of a wife deserves a pass because she sobered (?) him up.

[DrMaddVibe]

Black Sabbath Pledge To Carry on Without Drummer Bill Ward

Rolling Stone – 16 hours ago


Black Sabbath have responded to drummer Bill Ward's open letter pledging to leave the band unless he is presented with a "signable contract." In a statement on Facebook, Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler indicated they they will carry on with their new album and reunion tour without him. "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!!!"

Tony Iommi was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, causing the band to move their recording sessions from Los Angeles to England, where the guitarist is receiving treatment. They reportedly backed out of a planned headlining slot at Coachella and their European summer tour seemed to be in jeopardy, though the above statement makes it clear they plan on performing at the Download Festival on June 10th.

Black Sabbath toured without Bill Ward when the original line-up reformed in 1997, but he joined up with the group the following year. In 2004 a contract dispute nearly caused him to not participate on that summer's Ozzfest tour, but he eventually wound up signing on. "After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract," Ward wrote in his recent letter. "I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I've brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning."

He also addresses the possibility that the group might replace him. "If I'm replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans," he wrote. "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."

It's unclear who the group plans to bring in to play drums on their new projects, though in the past Faith No More's Mike Bordin and Vinny Appice have played in Black Sabbath when Ward was unavailable.

[R. Evans]

Don't care to tell you the truth. Ozzy is only as good as the guys playing with him. He has zero integrity, mostly because of her, but also because he has become little more than her yes-man. I just don't think his twat of a wife deserves a pass because she sobered (?) him up.

So tell us what you really think of Sharon. (I happen to feel the same way actually)

[tomcat]

Yes, and it's name is Sharon (fucking bitch!)

You're fucking A spot on. As someone said earlier, sounds like a Michael Anthony thing; that's a fucking crime, and I'm sure that cunt Sharon had a part in it. I love Ward's drumming. He's a fucking legendary member of a legendary band and he deserves proper respect, and the fans deserve to have Ward part of the reunion.

[Ten Years Gone]

Don't care to tell you the truth.

So you'd just as soon Ozzy be dead than succeed in a way you find displeasing? Nice. Sharon was able to help Ozzy become one of the few hard rock artist's from the 70's era to remain successful, and for that she gets called every name in the book. And most of those names involve her anatomy. Misogynist much? Bill Ward is agreat drummer, but he's still the drummer. The show will go on with or without him. Ask Peter Criss who tried to pull the same move on Kiss. He can either sign on and make a lot of money, or sit on his couch and pout and get nothing.

[DrMaddVibe]

Ask Peter Criss who tried to pull the same move on Kiss. He can either sign on and make a lot of money, or sit on his couch and pout and get nothing.

Awesome example...play in front of large crowds again...get a huge payday...sign away all right to the band's name to include future royalties and likeness...AWESOME!

At the end of the day it's shameful. 4 guys from a very poor town that wanted out of a blight of a city now bickering about who gets the bigger slice of the pie...yeah, I'm sure this is exactly the way they planned on it all going down waaaay back in '69!

[Ten Years Gone]

Awesome example...play in front of large crowds again...get a huge payday...sign away all right to the band's name to include future royalties and likeness...AWESOME!

At the end of the day it's shameful. 4 guys from a very poor town that wanted out of a blight of a city now bickering about who gets the bigger slice of the pie...yeah, I'm sure this is exactly the way they planned on it all going down waaaay back in '69!

I just don't get comments like this. Of course this isn't the way they planned it. What does that have to do with anything? Bill Ward has been in and out of the band several times over the decades now he wants to come back in and call the shots? I'd say he's lucky they invited him back in the first place. Obviously he holds a little leverage with the die-hards, ask Tony how many Houses of Blues the die-hards fill up. This isn't a bar band from Birmingham anymore, it's a multi-million dollar enterprise with a small window of opportunity to cash in. Ward needs to grow up and embrace his last chance at a little glory or be prepared to deal with the regret.

[SparkieD]

Sharon was able to help Ozzy become one of the few hard rock artist's from the 70's era to remain successful, and for that she gets called every name in the book. And most of those names involve her anatomy. Misogynist much? Bill Ward is agreat drummer, but he's still the drummer. The show will go on with or without him. Ask Peter Criss who tried to pull the same move on Kiss. He can either sign on and make a lot of money, or sit on his couch and pout and get nothing.

No, she gets called every name in the book for her fucking business practices involving other people. For example, how in Hell does removing and re-recording founding members of Blizzard of Ozz' work fit in with keeping Ozzy successful? Again, I do not give sweet FA what she did for Ozzy. If you want to twist that statement into my somehow wishing death on him, go ahead. That's just as ridiculous as you calling me a misogynist

For some musicians, integrity and the music itself is more important than money.

[DrMaddVibe]

WARD’S FULL STATEMENT:

Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,

At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a "signable" contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another "unsignable" contract was handed to me.

Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.

Since the news of Tony's illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I've spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I've tried to find out what's going on with the U.K. sessions, I've realized that I've been getting "the cold shoulder" (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what's happening unless I sign "the unsignable contract."

The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

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.

So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I'm good to go IF I get a "signable" contract. I don't want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

My position is not greed-driven. I'm not holding out for a "big piece" of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I'd like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I've brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.

That's the story so far.

Stay safe and stay strong.

I love every single one of you.

— Bill Ward


Sorry, but that does sound like a cash grab by someone that HAS been replaced before!

[tomcat]

No, she gets called every name in the book for her fucking business practices involving other people. For example, how in Hell does removing and re-recording founding members of Blizzard of Ozz' work fit in with keeping Ozzy successful? Again, I do not give sweet FA what she did for Ozzy. If you want to twist that statement into my somehow wishing death on him, go ahead. That's just as ridiculous as you calling me a misogynist

For some musicians, integrity and the music itself is more important than money.

Sharon bent over and Screwed Bob Daisly time and again. Daisly wrote the songs on Blizzard of Oz, and Diary... He wrote for Bark at the Moon, and No More Tears. How the fuck can she not recognize his song writing? The songs on the first two albums are masterpieces. And Daisley was not originally a hired gun, he was an equal member of a BAND - Blizzard of Oz. Sharon is a conniving money whore and an evil bitch. I don't really care for Ozzy or "his" music because of her. I liked Randy and Jake E Lee, but after Jake, Sharon AND Ozzy (and their damned kids) can go fuck themselves.

[Ten Years Gone]

No, she gets called every name in the book for her fucking business practices involving other people. For example, how in Hell does removing and re-recording founding members of Blizzard of Ozz' work fit in with keeping Ozzy successful? Again, I do not give sweet FA what she did for Ozzy. If you want to twist that statement into my somehow wishing death on him, go ahead. That's just as ridiculous as you calling me a misogynist

For some musicians, integrity and the music itself is more important than money.

You have no idea what Ward is asking for or what he is being denied. Ward's management is depending on the public's hatred of Sharon to translate into pressure, because that's the only leverage he has. This is a business manuver plain and simple and Sharon is calling his bluff. To the vast majority, a reunion with Ozzy, Tony and Geezer is close enough, so I don't see Bill winning this one. He should have taken the check and enjoyed the moment.

As far as you being misogynist, why don't you go ahead and point me to all the other threads where you unleashed personal attacks on other bands hardball managers who happen to be male. Sharon does her job and makes no excuses or appologies. When men do that they get the corner office, when women do it....well people can just read your post to see what happens when women do it.

[Ten Years Gone]

Sharon bent over and Screwed Bob Daisly time and again. Daisly wrote the songs on Blizzard of Oz, and Diary... He wrote for Bark at the Moon, and No More Tears. How the fuck can she not recognize his song writing? The songs on the first two albums are masterpieces. And Daisley was not originally a hired gun, he was an equal member of a BAND - Blizzard of Oz. Sharon is a conniving money whore and an evil bitch. I don't really care for Ozzy or "his" music because of her. I liked Randy and Jake E Lee, but after Jake, Sharon AND Ozzy (and their damned kids) can go fuck themselves.

If you're in a band called Ozzy Osborne, and there is a guy in that band named Ozzy Osborne, and that guy isn't you, you ain't getting an equal peice of the pie. Anybody know what Ted Nugent's bassist from Cat Scratch Fever is up to? Thought not. Bob Daisley got his songwriting royalties for those songs and got steady work from Sharon for the next decade. So she gave him the best job of his career. Wow, what a bitch. The performance royalties lawsuits were the type of thing that happens all the time these days. Journey and KISS have both rerecorded old hits with new members so they don't have to pay former members when they sell the songs for commercials or soundtracks.

[SparkieD]

You have no idea what Ward is asking for or what he is being denied. Ward's management is depending on the public's hatred of Sharon to translate into pressure, because that's the only leverage he has. This is a business manuver plain and simple and Sharon is calling his bluff. To the vast majority, a reunion with Ozzy, Tony and Geezer is close enough, so I don't see Bill winning this one. He should have taken the check and enjoyed the moment.

As far as you being misogynist, why don't you go ahead and point me to all the other threads where you unleashed personal attacks on other bands hardball managers who happen to be male. Sharon does her job and makes no excuses or appologies. When men do that they get the corner office, when women do it....well people can just read your post to see what happens when women do it.

First of fucking all, I don't dislike Sharon for how she handles that dumbfuck Ozzy's affairs as long as she is fair to the other people involved. Don't tell lme you haven't read shit all over the place about her lashing out at other bands and behaving like a raging asshole. I guess you don't have to be professional to get the job done because if you did, well, we wouldn't be discussing her. I haven't heard any crap about any other band's manager to garner an opinion, but if I had, I wouldn't be shy about voicing my opinion about it, male or fucking female. I called her a bitch, not a part of her anatomy (though that would also apply), and that was being nice. Believe me, I'm sure she doesn't mind. She's quite fond of the c-word.

And I'm cracking up even more that you STILL call me a misogynist. Webster much???