Black Sabbath, 1970: Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, Ozzy Osbourne in , (Photo by Chris … [+]
After a lengthy farewell tour and a final studio album, heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath had officially closed the book back in February 2017. Wielding a legacy that spans over 5 decades and a sonic influence that’s graced every corner of metal music, it was only fitting the band were calling it quits and going out on what many perceived as their own terms. However, one key element of the band throughout their farewell stretch was missing — founding Drummer Bill Ward.
Not only was Ward a founding member of Black Sabbath, but his musical contributions to the band’s seminal records helped to define Black Sabbath’s sound and achieve their status as pioneers of the heavy metal genre. Simply put, Bill Ward is just as much a part of the band as Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Tony Iommi are.
All of this needs to be said, as it looks like Black Sabbath might be gearing up to perform a proper final reunion show with drummer Bill Ward. This all started back in May when Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Tony Iommi had expressed their openness and desire for a final one off reunion show with Ward. Osbourne in particular commented that he felt the band’s final show in 2017 was incomplete due Ward’s absence.
In an interview Osbourne was asked if he felt satisfied with Sabbath’s career to which he replied, “No. Because it wasn’t Black Sabbath that finished it. It’s unfinished. If they wanted to do one more gig with Bill, I would jump at the chance. Do you know what would be cool? If we went to a club or something unannounced and we just got up and did it. We started up in a club. I was sad that Bill wasn’t there. I mean Tommy Clufetos, my drummer, did a great job. But he ain’t Bill Ward.”
All of this has now culminated with Bill Ward himself commenting on the matter and expressing a shared desire to end things properly. Ward posted to social media with a heartfelt message stating:
“Hey ya,
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 favorites. Loved playing them then, I’d love to play them one last time.
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 f**king time.
Bill”
With Ward onboard for a final Black Sabbath show, the prospects of it happening are now all but confirmed at this point, and it’ll likely be happening sooner rather than later. While of course nothing is actually confirmed yet, Ozzy Osbourne’s initial comments provide a great idea for where the band should play this final show. Given that Black Sabbath got its start performing in clubs across the U.K., it would be most fitting for the band to finish their legacy in the same setting they started it.