1. You never wanted to discuss in a public forum. BUT, you did by making all these public comments during your interviews for the 13 album and tour. I was only responding in kind. Don’t forget why I spoke out. If you had talked to me and shared your opinions privately, we wouldn’t be here today.

2. I was ready and in shape to record. I knew I would need to get in better shape for the gigs –same as I have needed to do and have done in the past. I was beginning my workout regime to get “tour ready.”   I knew what I needed to do to play the gigs, and I was confident I would be ready. I would not commit to an extensive tour without believing I could go all the way with it. I wouldn’t do that to our fans.

3. Shoulder Surgery. This was not a surgery that was an immediate necessity, or an emergency, or something that was prohibitive in terms of playing drums in Sabbath. It wasn’t anything like that. I would have elected to do the surgery after we finished touring, but since that didn’t come to pass, I scheduled it for the fall of 2013. My other surgery, yes was unexpected, but who among us knows what curve balls might be coming our way. Having had to recently cancel your own gigs, I think you could understand that and not hold someone to “what ifs”.

4. The “unsignable” contract isn’t a smokescreen – it’s the truth. I have been honest with our fans on where I stand. Your opinions of me are completely immaterial – they have nothing to do with my reason for not participating – the “unsignable” contract – that’s it. I wonder if I had signed it if any of this would have come up? I imagine we would have made an album and done a tour with the original line up in place.

Hey Oz,

It’s not going to work.

I can see you,

And, I read your statement.

Boy oh boy.

Well, I know I didn’t expect you to respond to my request of an apology. By the way, it’s pretty easy to go back and really look at what was truth and what was not.

I notice you’re including Tony and Geezer in being in full agreement, that with my health condition I couldn’t have played a two hour set with a drum solo. First time I’ve ever heard about a two hour show with a drum solo. But I’m asking you, not them. Why did you stay in the studio working with me? Why did we go to England for band rehearsals in August 2011? Why did we continue rehearsing in the Fall? Why did we make the announcement of 11/11/11? Why did you call me in late January 2012 asking me to come over to England to continue rehearsals? Why, if you thought I was so unhealthy, did you continue with me at all? You know why, Oz, because I was fine. I was playing. I was good to go.

I ran into no, zero, health problems until October 22^nd 2013. Oz, I could have played my ass off in 2012, all the way through to October 22^nd 2013. The shoulder operation was optional. It was quiet and I needed a wear and tear adjustment. I was fine. I could have gone without surgery. But listen to you, hitting back and hard, too.

I don’t believe a word of it. I am not an enemy. Eternity will show and serve as proof.

None of it, Oz.

I’m not going to own a fucking thing, other than I came into the studio initially overweight to tour, but not overweight to record. I was good to record. All of you know how much I put in, especially when I prepare to tour.

Your own anticipatory fear has got you by the balls. What fucking smokescreen, about an unsignable contract.

Yes, let’s get honest. I did.

It came out in my statement Wednesday, April 15, 2015.

I’m not playing (your quote). I never did. I don’t fuck with sincerity and honesty, period. I’ve done nothing but bring my truth to the fans. Man, you spin it real well. Sorry I can’t love you back, Oz. I put my love for you somewhere safe inside my heart in 2012 when your stories started showing up. It’s hard to love someone who thinks he’s telling the truth by making false claims, elitist comments and just plain rude statements.

It’ll show up, Oz, in your dreams, in your daily days. I’m clean and have nothing to feel doubtful about. All my actions have been of loyalty, honesty, and open-mindedness.

Stay safe old friend.

Sad we couldn’t roll it out for the fans one more time.

I read your speculation, and your what ifs, your doubts. I’m about as far away from being a victim as I am from Hell itself.

Following up on yesterday’s statement, there is a new interview with Bill on the Rolling Stone website.  In this interview Bill answers a lot of questions about various issues regarding Black Sabbath, and clarifies in more detail some of the remarks from the statement.   You can read the full interview over at the Rolling Stone website.

Dear Friends,

I hope you’re well and in good spirits.  I have not made any public statements regarding my relationship with Black Sabbath since February 2012.  Today, I want to address that relationship in this formal statement.  Thank you.

I have neither severed nor discontinued my relationship with Black Sabbath, however, since 2012, the often inaccurate statements about me as a person and as a musician have caused me to be guarded and be especially detached emotionally and spiritually from Ozzy.  His rhetoric above all has brought me the most discord.  The continuing misguided information about me has established a necessity on my part to confront these issues. And now, with the imminent release of a new Bill Ward Band album, and the flurry of rumors about new Sabbath projects, I feel it appropriate to speak in a truthful and an un-cynical way.

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.

Still undone and faraway is a “signable” contract.  I would require a “signable” contract before moving one step toward a pathway that could lead to us all playing together again.  I want a contract I can approve.  That’s my truth.  That’s my stand.  I’ve listened to nothing but insults and false remarks, and if as a band or as individuals they wish to continue along the same lines, then any notion of an original Black Sabbath lineup will continue to fade away.

Put simply, it’s up to them.  I have dearly missed playing with them and as people, I have been heartbroken over the loss of who I thought we were.  And now you know where I stand.

Very soon my band, BWB will release a new album ironically called “Accountable Beasts.”  I re- kick-started it in May 2012, and in an off and on journey to record, we have reached our final destination – a good mix, and a well mastered record.  At this time we are putting the final touches on the digital booklet.

There are other multiple projects in different stages of progress, and I hope to bring more definitive news about them as things unfold this year.  I have been very happy writing new songs, playing drums and working with other musicians.  I have been blessed with musical visions and the ability to harness them.  I’m moving into the future with an optimistic outlook.

For our many Sabbath fans, I love you all dearly.  You are extremely special people.  You fucking rock.  I have been in deep regret since January 2012 that a true union was denied.  I’ve remained faithful to you and honest with myself.  Had I not been honest throughout I would have perished long ago.  My hand is within yours, and I am encouraged to know you better.  Stay safe and stay strong.

Now it is time to meet the circumstances of my statement and attend to what else is ongoing and before me.

Love,
Bill Ward

Bill To Appear At The Masters of Metal Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp March 26-29.

Bill joins MICHEAL SCHENKER of UFO, SCORPIONS, MSG, and GLENN HUGHES of Deep Purple at this special camp – and it’s gonna get LOUD!

If you ever dreamed of jamming with true heavy metal icons, this is your chance.  This is a once in a lifetime experience to spend time playing and learning from three of the biggest names in hard rock history.  Over the course of the camp, your band will have personal time with each of these masters, as well as the opportunity to ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask.  Along with meeting and jamming with these incredible talents, each band performs 2 nights at the infamous HOUSE OF BLUES at MANDALAY BAY.  This camp is not be missed by any metal fan, as this opportunity will not repeat itself.  

Also counselors participating in this camp include  Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Whitesnake), Vinny Appice (Dio), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Foreigner, Billy Idol), Glen Sobel (Alice Cooper) and many more…  

Go to www.rockcamp.com to register now!

Hi everyone, it’s Bill Ward checking in.

I wanted to say a great big thank you again to all the wonderful people who attended our two day Gallery Art Exhibit In Annapolis on May 9 and 10, 2014.

I miss you all very much already. Thank you for the love that came between us, thank you for your open minds and hearts, thank you for your generous compliments in the support of my art, and your experiences, for hardships sustained.

I can see a lot of your faces as I’m writing this brief note. You’re all incredibly special people. I was touched deeply by the many intimate moments we shared.

Thank you for all the presents, CD’s, cake, health food, pictures, and more that you gave me.

Back at home I found a poem I wrote in 2012? 2013? that I wanted to share with you as a further embrace, and a gesture of my memory of you.

Stay safe, lots of love to you all. Here’s the poem.

SOUL DEVOURING THINGS

SOUL DEVOURING THINGS
WILL APPEAR AS VICTORIOUS
FROM TIME TO TIME

HOWEVER PASSION AND FEARLESS ACTIONS
WILL ALWAYS, CALM AND NULLIFY
THE RAUCOUS OUTCRIES

UNRAVELED AT FIRST
BY MONSTERS
WE OVERCOME
AND STAND IN TRUTH
WITH PEACE OF MIND

© BILL WARD

There is an excellent new interview with Bill by Chris over at DCHeavyMetal.com.  It is a wide ranging new interview, touching on many subjects such as new music from Bill (Accountable Beasts), the Absence of Corners project, the 13 album and Black Sabbath, other metal drummers, and the Rock 50 show.  Amongst others.   Check out the full interview here where you can both read a text version, and listen to an audio version.

H! Everyone,

I hope you’re well.  I’m re-starting the radio show on Saturday, February, 15, 2014.  As many of you know, I’ve been in hospital for a while (our last radio show was in August 2013).  I had a final operation on January 7, 2014, and I’m very pleased to say that a positive outcome has prevailed.  I’m healing slowly and surely.  On September 18, 2013, I thought I’d take advantage of the down time and have a right shoulder repair surgery.  Four days after that surgery, I had the perforated diverticulitis.  I’m mentioning the shoulder surgery because approximately two weeks ago, we finally started the shoulder rehab.  It’ll be about six weeks before the frozen joints can be workable again.  I’m hoping to be playing drums by mid-March 2014.  I want to start back in with jam sessions with a jazz quartet, something softer before I start slamming again.

On January 23, 2014, I received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the NAMM Bonzo Bash.  Again, multiple thanks to everyone who made that award happen for me. Special thanks to all the drummers at the bash, and it was great to be among the families and fans, and so many kick-ass drummers.  My heart is with the students and the old-timers.

This year on our radio show I intend to feature some of my favorite drummers.  We’ll have our very best of Metal, but we’ll also focus on hopefully surprising the listener with recordings from drummers, well-known and lesser-known.  I’m trying to find rare jams, drum solos – it’ll be about drummers all year long.

Our first drummer to be featured will be the amazing Dave Lombardo.  Dave is quite brilliant, and his music will be worth listening to.  I also hope to feature a couple of tracks from the early Zeppelin era with the one and only John Bonham.  Metallica, Motorhead and Phil Anselmo will be played on the show, and I just picked up Light Up and Live by Harsh Toke, hoping to find something nice to play.  Further, we’ll be playing our Buddy, Ritchie and Big Bopper memorial.  Happy 50^th Birthday, Beatles.

It’s exhilarating to be back with the living!  Check out the show if you can.

Stay safe.  Stay Strong.

–Bill

Earlier this month, a new interview with Bill was posted on the site hellbound.ca.   The interview was done by Kyle Harcott, and talks about a variety of topics, including Absence of Corners, Accountable Beasts, Beyond Aston, Rock 50, and Bill’s own drumming.  Check out this snippet:

Q: What bands excite you as the torchbearers in modern metal?

A: Oh God, there are so many! Amon Amarth are progressing really well. And I’ve got to wave the flag for bands like Soilwork, who are not necessarily new, but what they are doing is progressing, and they’re playing so fucking well. Same with a band like Devildriver, where I’ll be listening and wonder “What are they gonna do next?” I’m blown away by those guys. Another one of my favorite bands is Celtic Frost. I also really like Today Is The Day. And – I know it’ll never happen, what with Henke’s passing, but I also wish we could have a reincarnation of Disfear.

Check out the full interview here: http://www.hellbound.ca/2013/12/bill-ward-the-hellbound-interview/

There is a new interview online with Bill.   It comes from Rock Cellar Magazine, and in it, Bill talks about many subjects.   Some of them are the “Absence of Corners” art, the Ward One & When the Bough Breaks cover art, vegan cheese, new bands, and also talks about two new solo albums, and the status of his merchandise.  Oh, and a little about Black Sabbath too.

Check out the full interview here.

The artist reception with Bill Ward on October 26 at the Annapolis Collection Gallery in Maryland is being postponed due to illness. Ward recently suffered a perforated diverticulitis and underwent surgery in California. The procedure was successful, and Ward is expected to make a full recovery over the next several weeks.

“I am truly sorry that I have to postpone the Absence of Corners gallery reception,” said Ward. “The feedback I have received from everyone about this project has been astounding, and I was so looking forward to this event. I want to thank the Annapolis Collection Gallery for everything they are doing. I am honored that they are exhibiting my art, and I hope to get there to celebrate this collection with you all very soon.”

The gallery and Bill Ward have agreed to find another date in the future which will allow him time for a complete recovery.