On Tuesday, original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward announced that he would not be joining Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler for the highly anticipated reunion tour. Ward cited issues with the promoters for his decision.
The statement read:
“I am sincerely passionate in my desire to play with the band, and I’m very, very sorry that it’s fallen to this,” Ward wrote.
He continued:
“I know in my heart I couldn’t have done these concerts by agreeing the terms suggested,” the singer added. “I made a solemn vow after the last European and Ozzfest concerts that I would never again enter into what was, in my opinion, a totally unsatisfactory contract. I have to stand for something, and as painful as it is, I’m doing it.”
“We have decided not to make any detailed comment on Bill’s latest statement. There are two sides to every story. We have been working hard at rehearsals making excellent progress after Tony’s treatments and we have engaged a substitute drummer for the forthcoming shows. See you at Download.”
In February the band decided to cancel upcoming tour dates due to Tony Iommi’s fight with lymphoma.
Since Ward is no longer an option, what drummer would you like to see on tour with Black Sabbath?
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