Just when you thought the Bill Ward Vs. Black Sabbath's lineup feud was over, Tony Iommi brings it back up.
In a recent interview, Iommi said the feud was "over nothing" and that Ward didn't fully realize "how hard [touring] would have been on him." This fight goes back to 2015, when Ward and Black Sabbath were publicly feuding over why Ward wasn't going to be a part of the band's final tour. Ward said the contract the band gave him was "unsignable," while also insinuating that he and Ozzy were fighting.
Now Ward has addressed Iommi's most recent comments in a rather lengthy statement. Ward says Iommi's statement that Ward doesn't realize how hard touring will be is "undermining," says that his health was fine and he never once needed a backup drummer to take his place whilst in the reunited Sabbath due to his allegedly poor health.
Ward also addresses Iommi's statement that the fight was over nothing, claiming that by "saying it was nothing, dishonours the credibility of our fans, and insults the very heart of what we all clung to, Black Sabbath.
Bill adds he regrets the loss of both Ozzy's and Iommi's friendship, and he's honored to have accomplished what he did in Black Sabbath.
Read the full, extremely well-written by Ward below.
Hi Everyone,
I hope this day finds you all in good spirits and good health.
Again I feel in a position where I’m compelled to defend my actions in the period of 2011 up to, I suppose, today. Tony Iommi’s comments and some of Ozzy’s, remain in a place of disparaging remarks, which bring fault to my character as a person and a musician. I completely disagree with their comments. What they believe is quite opposite from my experience, especially in 2011 when no one spoke to me of being alarmed by my playing or my health. If they kept the info, which they so readily share now, to themselves in 2011, then let that be their shortcoming. How can I be judged that I could not do a tour when we were working on an album. How can I be judged in 2011 on health issues when none existed that would endanger a long term tour. They all know very clearly how well I prepare to tour. I did not know I was being judged in 2011, if that is indeed their truth.
Tony’s comment (and I’m assuming it was in reference to me touring) was, “I don’t think he quite realizes how hard it would have been on him” How can Tony say that. I know what it takes to tour. I’ve helped to set the physical and playing bar that was metal then and today. What an undermining, self-centered thing for Tony to say. What an inaccurate thing for Tony to say. I had played all the Ozzfests and Sabbath tours after the reunion. Keep in mind, they did one tour without me first, I think just to see if it could work without me. I’m sorry and mean no malice in saying this, but it was their fear, their mistrust, and their rationale that put back-up drummers on the stage at the reunion and other tours. I disliked that they did that, but understood they wanted to. I got on with my work, playing drums in Sabbath. Never once was a back-up drummer required, and no, I did not validate the fears of those who had fears.
I missed a European tour after my one and only heart attack in 1998. I can appreciate that Black Sabbath’s interests needed to be protected for the sake of future commitments to the fans, promoters, and all involved.
Ozzy said the saddest thing is that he/Bill needed to own up to that. Own up to what in 2011. What was I supposed to own up to, when I felt exhilarated, confident, and strong. Own up to, I’m not up to this, I’m sick and can’t play; those failings didn’t exist in me, they still don’t exist today. I had nothing to own up to, nothing to confess. The fact that Oz had reacted with sadness tells me he was already sold on his own judgement of me. And that is very sad to know.
Tony commented, “and it’s silly really because it was over nothing.” I have to confront that statement. I can’t let that wash into my life and my family’s life, and the lives of all those affected by an original band failure. It was something. It meant everything to thousands of people including me. It will always be something and it will always ring with truth, and actual correct accountability. By saying it was nothing, dishonours the credibility of our fans, and insults the very heart of what we all clung to, Black Sabbath.
I will have my experience in the time period of 2011 and Tony and Ozzy will have theirs. And, it’s plain to me, we’re as opposite and opposing as ever.
I won’t forget Ozzy’s last phone call of January 23rd or so 2012, asking when I would arrive in England to commence rehearsals. Why would he say that if my performance level of 2011 had already been judged.
I regret the loss of Ozzy’s friendship.
I regret the loss of Tony’s friendship.
Finally, and I’ve defended this many times, I couldn’t play one gig or a couple of gigs here or there with a back-up drummer or no back-up drummer. To do that one gig would put me in an elitist position, and I can’t do that for all the other fans who couldn’t see that one gig.
I’m honoured to have been a part of Black Sabbath, and to have played with Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Geezer Butler.
Long Live Black Sabbath.
Bill Ward
