Black Sabbath off again, on again??

GhostInTheRuins · 20-11-2011 12:40am

**** me, I'd prefer if they brought back Tony Martin. At least he preform. If he's not available then maybe exhume Dio or something. Anything would be better than Ozzy.

Can Bill Ward even play drums these days? I thought he was in a fairly bad way as well.

PTH2009 · 20-11-2011 12:47pm

so i guess no Irish date for sabbath next year.

Imagine a Metallica/Black Sabbath show at the o2

:D:D (Never will happen though:(:(:mad:)

Furious-Red · 20-11-2011 1:02pm

PTH2009 wrote: »

so i guess no Irish date for sabbath next year.

Imagine a Metallica/Black Sabbath show at the o2 :D:D (Never will happen though:(:(:mad:)

Both could sell it out on there own . Plus who would go on last

scudzilla · 03-02-2012 10:19am

Statement from Bill Ward's Facebook

Statement on Black Sabbath Album & Tour:

Los Angeles, CA – February 2, 2012

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'shappening 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, Ialso 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

scudzilla · 03-02-2012 10:21am

This totally smells of $harron, all the way.

I fckuin hate that bitch, have done for years, she's only in it for herself.

Bill deserves so much more than this, and fair fcuks to him for standing up to the evil bitch.

I know some of you may jump in and say ther's no proof it's $harron but come on, look at past history and her track record, and who else is there who would be this penny pinching??

Furious-Red · 03-02-2012 12:33pm

Not gonna lie would'nt know much about the BS history , but would i assume Sharon is the Yoko Ono of Black Sabbath

happyoutscan · 03-02-2012 12:47pm

scudzilla wrote: »

I know some of you may jump in and say ther's no proof it's $harron but come on, look at past history and her track record, and who else is there who would be this penny pinching??

No need to worry about that, she's a despicable person, a scum of a human as far as I'm concerned.

buck65 · 03-02-2012 1:03pm

Probably for the best, this could be a disaster when/if it happens. Reminds me of the film Cocoon.

Catari Jaguar · 03-02-2012 5:31pm

I wouldnt be too hasty in pointing the finger at Sharon. Didn't Bill pull a similar stunt over Heaven & Hell with Dio in a few years back and back out of the tour?

scudzilla · 03-02-2012 5:54pm

cherub rock wrote: »

I wouldnt be too hasty in pointing the finger at Sharon. Didn't Bill pull a similar stunt over Heaven & Hell with Dio in a few years back and back out of the tour?

This is the sort of thing $harron is well known for, anyone would think the money grabbing bitch is short of a few quid.

IIRC Bill had issues with H&H because of his heart

Kess73 · 03-02-2012 7:38pm

cherub rock wrote: »

I wouldnt be too hasty in pointing the finger at Sharon. Didn't Bill pull a similar stunt over Heaven & Hell with Dio in a few years back and back out of the tour?

Well given that in 2004 he pulled out of the Ozzfest tour due to "management" issues involving Sharon Osbourne, I am just waiting for her to come out and announce a stand in drummer like she did back then.

Seems if one goes and looks back at many of the issues that Black Sabbath members had over the years there is one member of management involved in those issues.

scudzilla · 03-02-2012 8:24pm

From Sabbath's FB page

We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans...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, Ozzy and Geezer

Now at NO POINT AT ALL in Bill's statement did he say he was out, just that he wanted a fair contract, not much to ask.

This Sabbath thing is now turning into a fcukin joke

BlaasForRafa · 03-02-2012 8:55pm

cherub rock wrote: »

I wouldnt be too hasty in pointing the finger at Sharon. Didn't Bill pull a similar stunt over Heaven & Hell with Dio in a few years back and back out of the tour?

Bill was ill at the time of Heaven and Hell.

Remember Sharon is the b***h who tried to screw Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake out of rights and royalties to Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman between 2002 and 2010 and had the drum and bass tracks replaced by other musicians.

scudzilla · 03-02-2012 8:59pm

BlaasForRafa wrote: »

Bill was ill at the time of Heaven and Hell.

Remember Sharon is the b***h who tried to screw Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake out of rights and royalties to Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman between 2002 and 2010 and had the drum and bass tracks replaced by other musicians.

Didn't Daisley/Kerslake write a LOT of those albums??

Nodferatu · 03-02-2012 9:07pm

sharon osbourne is most likely the entire reason behind this crap.

BlaasForRafa · 03-02-2012 9:20pm

scudzilla wrote: »

Didn't Daisley/Kerslake write a LOT of those albums??

Indeed they did, which is probably one reason why they're by far the best of Ozzy's solo work, the other reason being fantastic guitar work of Randy Rhoads.

Evidently Ozzy can't write to save his life, most of Sabbaths songs were by Iommi/Butler but all credits were Butler/Iommi/Osbourne/Ward. Daisley, Kerslake and Rhoads wrote most of the BOO and DOAM albums but contractually Ozzy got his name on every song (except for the instrumental Dee) but his actual contributions are unclear.

Itssoeasy · 04-02-2012 11:50pm

I see don ardens progeny is being her usual self. It still baffles me how Tony, geezer, and bill need to have ozzy in the band to able to use the name black sabbath. If don was the al Capone of pop what does it make $haron ?

RayCon · 05-02-2012 11:23am

The more shambolic the Osbournes make this reunion , the more disinterested I am in it ...

scudzilla · 07-02-2012 9:48pm

Breaking news:

MetalTalk.net have just been informed by a reliable source that Sharon Osbourne has fired Bill Ward. If this turns out to be true, as fully expected, then it won't go down well with the Metal community.

MetalTalk.net understands that Bill's replacement will be Tommy Clufetos from the Ozzy Osbourne band.

We'll find out more as soon as possible.

Stay posted for more information as we have it...

Linky : http://metaltalk.net/news2012/2012585.php#.TzFgxbGW_yA.facebook

$HARRON O$BOURNE IS A VILE VILE PIECE OF FILTH.

Mental Mickey · 07-02-2012 9:51pm

LOL

GhostInTheRuins · 07-02-2012 11:04pm

Ah that couldn't really be true I don't think. First of all, does she have any authority to "fire" any member of sabbath? I don't think so. And I really don't think Geezer and Tony would stand for that sh*te.

scudzilla · 07-02-2012 11:18pm

GhostInTheRuins wrote: »

Ah that couldn't really be true I don't think. First of all, does she have any authority to "fire" any member of sabbath? I don't think so. And I really don't think Geezer and Tony would stand for that sh*te.

$harron calls the shots for Ozzy, what $harron says, Ozzy does.

Don't be under any illusions here, she has ENORMOUS influence over Sabbath and would screw Bill over in a flash if it meant more of a cut for her hubby

Kess73 · 07-02-2012 11:32pm

GhostInTheRuins wrote: »

Ah that couldn't really be true I don't think. First of all, does she have any authority to "fire" any member of sabbath? I don't think so. And I really don't think Geezer and Tony would stand for that sh*te.

Nobody stood against her in the past when Ward was replaced, and she was the one that came out back then to announce his replacement for that tour, so I would not be surprised to see history repeat itself.

lord lucan · 08-02-2012 10:38pm

No independent confirmation of Ward being fired. Bills son Aron posted on the Black Sabbath Fans Facebook group about how he saw the situation,well worth the read.

the press is spinning this **** storm to read as if my dad has quit. this is not true. the guys know that. that's why they said the door is ALWAYS open.
my dad hasn't "declined" playing with black sabbath or "threatened" to pull out of this reunion.
as he stated his bags are packed and he's ready to go. he say's it loud and clear, he definitely wants to play on the album and he definitely wants to tour.
i know he's been committed to this project from the beginning all the way to the point everyone else flew off to the uk.
when i saw him over the summer he had this little cd case with him that had all the rehearsals and song ideas.
each cd was sharpie scrawled with rough titles and ideas they had been working on.
about a month ago my dad called me to let me know that Tony had been diagnosed with cancer. he said they were all flying over in the next couple of weeks to continue recording the album in the uk and begin rehearsals for the summer tours. he'd been rehearsing more than i've ever known him to. up till about 3 weeks ago he was working extremely hard and close with the other 3 on this album/reunion tour. he was in very good spirits and sounded excited to be writing with Tony, Geezer and Ozzy again.
i know if they sort this **** out you guys won't be disappointed.

i've always stayed out of my dad's business and would like nothing more than for everything to be worked out swiftly between the guys.
unfortunately it's become personal with all these idiots slagging off my dad so this is for the ****ing morons saying

"get over it Bill" : my dad has "gotten over it" again and again. he's risen above this bull**** thing called showbiz for the last 30 years. he's respected because he's real and honest not just because he's a complete bad ass on the drums. he's been there for other musicians. in all kinds of circles - punk rock, hardcore, metal whatever. he was one of the first to get his head screwed back on after the 70's and get cleaned up. he's given so much support to so many people trying to pull themselves out of the hell called addiction. he tries so hard to stay in touch with the fans. he'll talk your ear off if you get a chance. he is humbled by your support and loves you.

"can't believe he needs to make this public" or "it's not the first time" : you're an idiot and have no idea what the hell's really going on. just shut the **** up and keep the speculation and lies to yourself. what my dad posted was from his heart, on the level and as usual completely honest. he wants you to know what's really going on. that he has been given a contract that he can't sign. nothing more to it. no hidden agenda. disappointingly someone else is trying to shroud everything in some kind of x factor "yeah it's full steam ahead - we have no choice" bull****. of course they have a choice.

"don't be so greedy" : he is by no means greedy man. if he was he would of settled with whatever contract given him. it's kind of obvious someone else is greedy. wake up. he lives in a modest home in southern california. pays rent like the rest of uz. in case your still blind look at it this way - sadly the current "sabbath" statement reads as if someone would rather see the remaining members play in front of thousands of disappointed, confused and resentful fans then give my dad a dignified agreement. additionally the record sales will be severely affected because it isn't the promised original line up. all this because of someone's inability to respect him as the committed founding member he is. this has derailed the fan's hopes of seeing the original line up and strongly divided the fans. what a way to **** up such a powerful, influential and inspirational legacy for the rest of time.

"who cares, it's just a bunch pensioners" : i'm just as cynical about old rock legends getting back on the road "one more time" as anyone but this is BLACK SABBATH. they've never been a conventional band. thing is i know these guys have been rehearsing loads. over the last couple months. when i've caught up with my dad he's been talking about how heavy the jams have been and how hard he's been playing. do you think people were looking at miles davis, ornette coleman or max roach going "man these guys are boring and old" no! it's the music that's important, played by the masters themselves. thats what we want. they're here to teach us, inspire us and make us flip out. i saw the (captain beefhearts) magic band recently on tour and they were clearly the definite article. legends. completely schooled any new hip shiny processed hyped out mush you've been exposed to in the last couple years. there's no doubt that there are loads of new heavy as **** bands out there but to me Black Sabbath are still totally relevant. it's pointless to bitch about their age. they will kick serious ****ing ass. trust.

to Terry (my godfather) , Ozzy (my friend when i was little) and Tony (towering hero) i hope that you will listen to your fans. they want all of you together. as YOU are black sabbath so is my Dad. i hope you guys can work it out.
Aron