Bill Ward gives green light to Black Sabbath reunion
After Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler shared their ambitions for one final Black Sabbath show, drummer Bill Ward has finally given a green light to the reunion.
Ward left the band in 2012 following a contract dispute, which prevented him from being with his bandmates as they commenced upon their lap of honour that concluded at Birmingham Arena. This prompted his old bandmates to recently express their regret that Ward missed out on saying goodbye, and expressed their desire for one final swan song.
Talk of a Black Sabbath reunion was sparked when Osbourne said on his podcast, The Madhouse Chronicles, that the band’s story is “unfinished”. He added: “If they wanted to do one more gig with Bill, I would jump at the chance.”
This led to Iommi throwing his weight behind the idea during an appearance on Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk. “That’d be a nice thing to actually do, but whether it happens will be another thing. But we’ll see. I mean, who knows,” he said.
Then, Butler, who was also a guest on the same radio programme, revealed he’d be willing to reunite with Sabbath, but admitted he wasn’t sure if it would come to fruition due to Ward, stating, “Of course there’s an interest, but there’s a big but — you’d have to speak to Bill about it. Everybody wants to do it (but I don’t know if he is) capable.”
The venue discussed has been Villa Park in Birmingham, which is home to Osbourne and Butler’s football team, Aston Villa. “I’m definitely up for it, to finish the whole thing off“, Butler added of a possible concert at the legendary stadium.
Nevertheless, due to the circumstances surrounding Ward’s exit from the band and previous comments made by the drummer, it was uncertain whether he’d want to play with Sabbath again.
Previously, in 2023, Ward rejected claims made by Butler that he was invited to perform in Birmingham for their previous farewell show. Additionally, the drummer said he “wouldn’t want to play only one gig when I am completely capable of touring” as this would “validate their untrue statements about my health by playing one only gig”.
Time is the greatest healer, and now, Ward has changed his tune. He wrote on X: “Bill Ward checking in regarding all the updates on a possible Sabbath show in England. I’m in for playing some of everyone’s old favourites. Loved playing them then, I’d love to play them one last time.”
Ward also quashed fears about his health, adding, “I’m not going to talk about my health publicly except to say, everyday I’m pretty good for 76 years old, I’m active musically every day, and I have a very busy and gratifying life. Love you all, all the fucking time.”
Although Osbourne is battling health problems of his own, and has retired from touring, the legendary rock figure is hopeful of being able to perform farewell shows in the future, likely in 2025.
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