Bill Ward Wants Ozzy Osbourne To 'Right Wrongs' Prior To Any Black Sabbath Reunion
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Written by Huw Baines
Bill Ward has discussed what it would take for him to consider rejoining Black Sabbath.
The drummer has not been a part of the band’s reunion and did not play on ‘13’, having stepped away over contractual issues back in 2012. Now, with rumours swirling about the band’s farewell, he has called for Ozzy Osbourne to “right wrongs” over what he perceives as “often inaccurate statements about me as a person and as a musician”.
“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.”
As Rolling Stone note, an August 2013 interview with Jim Farber of the New York Daily News found Osbourne describing Ward as “incredibly overweight”. He continued: “A drummer has to be in shape. He’s already had two heart attacks. I don’t want to be responsible for his life.”
Sabbath’s status has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks following the announcement and subsequent dismissal of a ‘farewell’ show at Ozzfest Japan later this year. Head here to read Ward’s statement in full.
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