Click here to view the video on YouTube.

I do have a personal thought on the matter.  If this really is what is going to happen, and there honestly is no hope of reconciliation, what Bill needs to do is this.  Get bloody “Beyond Aston” out the door.  Go out on his own fucking tour with the bands he plays on Rock 50.  WardFest 2012!  Make it happen!

Here is Bill’s full statement:

Dear Sabbath Fans and Fellow Musicians,

I sincerely regret to inform you that after a final effort to participate in the upcoming Sabbath shows a failure to agree has continued. At this time I have to inform you that I won’t be playing with Black Sabbath at the Birmingham gig dated May 19th, 2012, nor will I be playing at Download on June 10th, 2012. Further, I will not be playing at Lollapalooza on August 3, 2012.

It is with a very sad heart that I bring you this news. I am sincerely passionate in my desire to play with the band, and I’m very, very sorry that it’s fallen to this. This statement is even more painstaking to write, as I was particularly excited to play alongside Tony Iommi after the recent treatments he underwent. I wanted that to become a reality.

To express my thoughts about you, the Sabbath fans, I’m going to speak to you all through an experience my brother James had recently. My brother Jimmy lives in the U.K. When speaking with him a couple of days ago, he told me that an acquaintance had stopped him on the street and confronted him, “is your brother playing Birmingham? What’s going on? I waited in line with my son and paid x amount for the concert tickets.”

The man’s son is a young drummer. He’s going to see Sabbath, and he wants to see Bill Ward play drums. Upon hearing this news, I felt horrible. I couldn’t help feeling some resentment towards the failure to reach an agreement, the failure to remember where we came from, the failure to be as brothers, as we once were. To be clear, I’m not blaming the other guys or finding any faults with them. I would think it can’t be easy for them either, but this situation is just really sad. It’s sad that it’s come to this. “This” will surely leave a mark and be unwelcome to the memory. Hopefully “this” will heal and pass in time.

My heart sank when Jimmy told me about this young boy. I know this boy is going to be disappointed, and I don’t know how to amend it, other than to put my arms around the boy and tell him I love him. Sabbath fans have a voice and a face, to me you’re human, you have families and despair. You have ferocity and emotions and graciousness, and at this moment as far as I’m concerned you are also that young boy in England. I don’t know how to amend my part in these failings other than to put my arms around you and say I love you and let you know I’m very, very sorry.

Throughout this process, which began over a year ago, I have had to stand up for myself time and time again. I have had to stand up for myself and in doing so realize my actions indirectly, although unintentionally, are upsetting and hurting a lot of you. I know in my heart I couldn’t have done these concerts by agreeing the terms suggested. I made a solemn vow after the last European and Ozzfest concerts that I would never again enter into what was, in my opinion, a totally unsatisfactory contract. I have to stand for something, and as painful as it is, I’m doing it.

Earlier in April 2012, I’d been asked to participate “minimally” in the Download festival. I believe I’d been offered no more than three songs to play while another drummer presumably played the rest of the show with Black Sabbath. I was not willing to participate in that offer. I was not prepared to watch another drummer play a Sabbath set, while I was to play only three songs.

I found out about the Birmingham gig on Monday, April 30 through the Internet ad. I was taken aback somewhat by the date, and the fact it was Birmingham. Knowing the “signable” contract negotiations were at best in shreds, I was upset by the idea that the band was going to play Birmingham and play it assumedly without me. I had no prior knowledge of the date and location, and I felt totally excluded. We contacted the representative for Black Sabbath to see if something could be worked out. In the meantime my drum crew and I, along with our US endorsers, finished all the necessary planning for a swift departure to the UK. There wasn’t a whole lot to complete; we’d all been on standby more or less since mid-January 2012. The remaining work in the UK was confirmed done by our European and UK endorsers and we were good to go by Friday, May 4 2012. There were two stress points: firstly, getting an agreement in place, and secondly, getting to England in a timely manner. Jetlag time was taken into account as well as drum practice, a drum practice room in the heart of Birmingham, accommodation, and travel arrangements were all in place to meet with any band rehearsals that may have transpired before the Birmingham show. So far everything that had been arranged was on my dime, but we didn’t move ahead without a realistic confirmation.

Communications between the representative and my lawyer continued through the weekend of May 5 finalizing on Wednesday, May 9. The offer we received on May 9 was, “come to the UK, play for free and see how the first show goes.” I was tempted. Playing for free would not have been a problem for me, but “seeing how the first show goes” left an element of risk which could have affected Download. My ideal thought was to play in full the Birmingham show, in full Download, and in full Lollapalooza.

I had notified the representative that May 10 was my cutoff day in order to have good lead-in time for England. On the night of May 9 I asked for a brief letter to be sent to the representative asking to find out if we were at an end. On the morning of Thursday, May 10, I received a reply in the affirmative. After consulting with my advisors and crew a decision was made to let go and stop.

I can’t prioritize the Sabbath fans making one show more important than the other. I can’t do that. All of you are important. It’s all the gigs or none at all. I can’t come to Birmingham and “see what happens” knowing there is a risk of not being able to play Download or Lollapalooza. Again, for me, it’s all or nothing. I had to say “no” to Birmingham on the principle of wanting to play all the shows. Saying no to Birmingham is very difficult for me. My family grew up in Birmingham. Black Sabbath grew up in Birmingham. It’s still my hometown and I resent having to arrive at such a difficult choice.

Although the statement was made that, “the door is always open” for me, as explained above, walking through that door is not always as easy as it sounds. There are many complicated issues and unseen and unspoken agendas on hand. I can assure you, my criteria for a “signable” contract is based in mindful principles, respectability, and acknowledgement of my history within the band.

I hold no malice or resentment towards the other band members. I love them; I’m tolerant of them; I’m frustrated with them, as they may be with me. My fight has never been with them. I’ll love them forever. In my opinion, nobody wins this time; the band doesn’t win; the fans for an original lineup don’t win. Nobody wins, nobody. Even the ones who thought they did.

I didn’t want to make this decision, but I have to be honest and transparent. This is the statement I didn’t want to write; it’s the last thing I wanted to do. But, I have written it, and now it can go into the universe.

Since Spring of 2011, I’ve waited patiently and hopefully for a signable contract, you know the rest. I stand for the boy in the U.K., for the coming drum student, for all the drummers, who write their parts out and get stiffed on the publishing, I stand with the Sabbath fans chanting “Bill Ward” and asking “why?” and I stand with Tony and Geezer and Ozzy.

On a final note, even though I’m at an end with the upcoming announced concerts, I will remain with an open mind and a position of willingness to negotiate “signable” terms with Sabbath’s representatives in the future.

Stay strong.
Stay safe.

With all my heart and strength, I love you,
Bill Ward

Following on a separate page is a thank you message to some very extraordinary people.

Why am I bringing this up again?  Well, I wanted to send some love Damian’s way by telling everyone that the segment he produced has won an award!  Specifically, the “Telly Award“.   The precise category of the win was “Live Event (segments) for Internet Broadcast”.    Here’s a bit about the awards themselves..

Founded in 1979, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions, and web commercials, videos and films. The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators, and corporate video departments in the world. The Telly Awards is a widely known and highly respected national and international competition and receives over 11,000 entries annually from all 50 states and many foreign countries.

This is the first time they’ve expanded their awards to include internet video, and Damian won in the “Online Video” category specifically for the segment he produced for the Iommi book signing.  The Telly Award site has not been updated yet with this category, but we have proof here.  Check out the picture of Damian WITH the trophy he received.

Eagle eyed viewers will see more than one of the trophy he’s holding in the picture – Damian has won this award before in other categories for television production work he’s done.

To celebrate this award, Damian and myself have decided to release a treat.  It’s the full interview segment he did with Tony back on that day.  The video segment released last November only has bits from that, but this is the full interview with Tony.   Thought folks would like to see that.

An interesting point to the interview is that Tony talks about a possible “new album” with Ian Gillan.  This is interesting given the news from earlier this week about the WhoCares album being released.   Additionally, this interview was done just about eight weeks before he publicly disclosed he had cancer.   I don’t know when he was formally diagnosed, but if he had been at the time this was done, he’s a trooper for coming to the states to do all of this.

Anyway, congratulations to Damian for the award, and make sure and enjoy the full interview segment here, as well as the original award winning video segment below.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

The track listing is:

1. Paranoid
2. Iron Man
3. Changes
4. Fairies Wear Boots
5. War Pigs
6. Never Say Die
7. Children of the Grave
8. The Wizard
9. Snowblind
10. Sweet Leaf
11. Evil Woman
12. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
13. Black Sabbath
14. N.I.B.

This compilation is being released by Universal, which is why it will not be released domestically in the US/North America (remember, that territory is held by Warner Bros/Rhino, and they have their own single disc Greatest Hits album available).   The 2009 release is being withdrawn from distribution, to be replaced by this new disc.

The majority of Black Sabbath fans will already own these tunes, but if you do not, or are you are looking for a single disc Greatest Hits album to toss in the car to have available to play, then this is a good choice.  The Ozzy era is well represented with the traditional hits, as much as can be with the limitations of a single disc. This goes on sale June 4th.  As of today, it’s not yet available for pre-order, when it is, I will revise this story with pre-order links.

Here is some artwork for the release, including the cover art.  Also included below is the official press release from Universal.

Album: “Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath”
Release Date: 4th June 2012

Download Festival Headline – 10th June 2012

Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward,– four names that resonate throughout Rock’s recorded history as clear and sublime as the bell that tolls the opening to the bands eponymous debut album from 1970.

Collectively, they formed Black Sabbath and forged the most haunting and hypnotic rock sound of all time. From humble beginnings, the Birmingham quartet enslaved the minds and souls of millions of rock fans around the world and continue to do so into the new millennium. The musical genre they created inspired countless musicians and spawned countless bands. Such has been their influence; they have been inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and were included among Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

“Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath” is a 14 track collection of classic tracks from across the bands first eight albums – including tracks from 1970’s debut “Black Sabbath” and follow up “Paranoid”, 1971’s “Master Of Reality”, 1972’s “Volume 4”, 1973’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” and 1978’s “Never Say Die”. The album brings some of the best loved and most influential rock songs of all time together on one album – including such classics as “Paranoid”, “Iron Man”, “Black Sabbath”, “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”, “War Pigs” and “Changes”. The release is a must have for any self respecting music fan…

Full Tracklisting (including original albums):

1 – Paranoid (Paranoid)
2 – Iron Man (Paranoid)
3 – Changes (Volume 4)
4 – Fairies Wear Boots (Paranoid)
5 – War Pigs (Paranoid)
6 – Never Say Die (Never Say Die)
7 – Children Of the Grave (Master Of Reality)
8 – The Wizard (Black Sabbath)
9 – Snowblind (Volume 4)
10 – Sweet Leaf (Master Of Reality)
11 – Evil Woman (Don’t Play Your Games) (Black Sabbath)
12 – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath)
13 – Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath)
14 – N.I.B. (Black Sabbath)

Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler recently announced they are reuniting as Black Sabbath and recording a new album. They are scheduled to perform a headlining slot at the Download Festival on Sunday 10th JuneFor more information and tickets please see www.downloadfestival.com.  The band are also playing a warm up show at the Birmingham 02 Academy on 19th May (Sold Out).

“Iron Man: The Best of Black Sabbath” is released through Sanctuary on the 4th June 2012

I’m a little unclear as to the title of the new disc – from what I’ve read online, it will be called “WhoCares”, the same as the single from last year.  But I can’t get official confirmation of that at this time.  Anyway, here is the track listing, which is accurate, as far as I can tell from my own research on the matter:

1. WhoCares – Out of My Mind (from single last year)
2. Ian Gillan featuring Iommi, Roger Glover, & Ian Paice – Trashed (originally from Gillan’s Inn)
3. Black Sabbath – Zero the Hero (from Born Again)
4. Deep Purple – Dick Pimple (unreleased Deep Purple outtake from Purpendicular)
5. WhoCares – Holy Water (from single last year)
6. Black Sabbath – Anno Mundi (from Tyr)
7. Ian Gillan – She Thinks it’s a Crime (first time released on CD or digital)
8. Iommi / Hughes – Slip Away (from Fused album, previously was a real.com exclusive track)
9. Ian Gillan – When a Blind Man Cries (previously unreleased live acoustic version)
10. Ian Gillan – No Laughing in Heaven (live track released under name Garth Rockett)
11. Ian Gillan / Mikhalis Ratzinkis – Getaway (previously available on LP only)
12. Tony Iommi / Glenn Hughes – Let it Down Easy (from Japanense version of Fused album)
13. Ian Gillan & the Javelins – Can I Get a Witness
14. Repo Depo – East Come Easy Go (previously unreleased)
15. Deep Purple w/ Ronnie James Dio – Smoke on the Water
16. Ian Gillan / Roger Glover – Can’t Believe You Wanna Leave Me
17. Gillan – Don’t Hold Me Back

The inclusion of a few old Sabbath tracks is interesting.   It will be interesting to see the source of the mastering work for Anno Mundi.   I know there were plans to release the Tony Martin IRS albums in deluxe editions, but the reunion stuff (and later Tony’s cancer) got in the way of that.  However, if they were actually remastered already and waiting for a release, then this would be good news to include a remastered version of a track from Tyr.   I have inquired about that, if/when I get an update on it, I’ll report back.  UPDATE: I got word back from Tony Iommi’s manager that Anno Mundi has NOT been remastered, and that Tony has had little time to work on the IRS remasters, so this will be the previously available CD master version.  Still, it’s nice to see a track from Tyr get some attention in 2012!  :)

There are no pre-orders available yet, when there is, I’ll make sure and bring you that info.   I’m pretty sure it will be released by the same labels as the single from last year, but I’m waiting on confirmation of that news, too.

The inclusion of Anno Mundi will make for the only Tony Martin era track (excluding Eternal Idol) that will currently be in print.   One holds out hope that we’ll still get to the deluxe edtions of Headless Cross, Tyr, Cross Purposes & Forbidden – but that’s a story for another time.  If you want to read about THAT situation, I urge you to read this link.  ALL OF IT.

Also, to refresh your memory, here is the full track “Out of My Mind” from last year.  Still a great track.  Check it out:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

So it’s a bit of some interesting news reported today by Blabbermouth that there will be a North American Live DVD released on July 17th.   The strange thing about this story is that the track listing does not match the old album’s track listing.  It’s a bunch of Ozzy solo tracks, and the reported band is the same as the CD, but not the track listing.

• Ozzy Osbourne – Vocals
• Brad Gillis – Guitar
• Rudy Sarzo – Bass
• Tommy Aldridge – Drums
• Don Airey – Keyboards

This combination never got the accolades it deserved.  I rather enjoyed Brad Gillis at the time, and while he may not have been the best guitarist Ozzy had, it’s not like the dude is awful (although some of his takes on Iommi’s riffs are odd).   Anyway, I’ve contacted my friend at the record label this is coming out on for additional information, and when it’s available, I’ll make sure and pass it on.

This looks interesting for sure, I’ll be wanting to check it out – I don’t believe the Gillis fronted band has ever been released on video before, not officially anyway.  I recall seeing something of them back on MTV in the day, but I long ago lost that VHS tape I recorded.   After reading around some more, this release is probably that same MTV show from years gone by.   Still, it’s a bit confusing to call it “Speak of the Devil”, as that implies the same track listing as the CD to me.  Oh well.  It’ll still be cool to see this lineup anyway.

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

I wrote this to Bill myself when I sent him a Happy Birthday wish:

I wanted to take the chance again to point out how fucking criminal it is that “Children Killing Children” never got the press that it did. The message in that song is seriously powerful, and in my eyes is something that should have been pushed WAY harder than it was. I liked the song when it came out, but now that I have kids – my older is a 7 year old girl, the message is stronger for me. She’s not yet had to deal with crap like that in her life, and I pray that she never does. But I’m not naieve (sp?) either – I know what the world can do.

Check out the video:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

Bill still sells this album as direct merchandise on his site, go check it out.  Click on the cover art below.

Finally, PLEASE… this has nothing to do with the current Black Sabbath drummer situation in 2012.  This is just about one of Bill’s great solo tracks, and something to mark his 64th birthday today.  Nothing more.  Don’t read into it.  There’s no hidden message!

• Tony Iommi – Guitar
• Ozzy Osbourne – Vocals
• Geezer Butler – Bass
• ??? – Drums
• Adam Wakeman – Keyboards

There’s been several rumours over the last few months or so regarding the drum slot, including several news stories that insisted they had the inside scoop as to who was playing drums.  Thing is, there are no facts.  We don’t know who is playing drums.  Even this morning, when the news of this gig broke, there were several people who sent me messages saying they “discovered” that Bill Ward is playing.  Why is this?  Because the Black Sabbath Facebook Info tab lists Bill Ward as a member.  Interesting theory, but that specific text they’re referring to has been there since the official Facebook page was set up for the Sabs, when Bill was involved.

As I’ve told people, if Bill Ward returns, you won’t “find” the news buried in an info tab on a Facebook page – it will be announced properly.   It’s sad to say, but there is NO NEWS as to who is playing drums.  If Bill returns, it will be properly announced.   Until then, we continue to hold out hope that Bill will be manning the skins.

Apparently, tickets go on sale this Friday for the Birmingham warmup gig.  If anyone gets a ticket, can you send in a ticket scan?  Tkx.

Finally, I’ll be getting my 2012 tour date page up date in the next day or so.  It’s a bit behind.

This is a band that used to be known by the name Queenstreet.   The most direct Dio connection at that time was Rowan Robertson, the (then) kid who played guitar on Ronnie’s “Lock Up the Wolves” album.  However, the band morphed into it’s current incarnation when VERY long time Black Sabbath member Geoff Nicholls agreed to join up. The full lineup of the band is:

• Nils Patrik Johansson – Vocals
• Rowan Robertson – Guitar
• ‘Arry Gogstead – Bass
• Rick Hagan – Drums
• Geoff Nicholls – Keyboards

There is no band photo available yet, but I’m told there will be more materials forthcoming this summer in support of the band’s 2012 “Turn Up the Tour” tour.   Here’s a bit about the band from their press release.

When Ronnie James Dio died in May 2010, the world lost one of rock’s most iconic voices.

Shortly after his passing, Ronnie’s band mates in Heaven and Hell/ Black Sabbath reunited with Ozzy, to celebrate their 70’s material. For a little while Ronnie’s legacy was mainly kept alive by benefit concerts and the occasional cover by different rock bands.

Before Ronnie died, his former guitarist Rowan Robertson got in touch with a Norwegian drummer, Rick Hagan and started talking about doing a few shows featuring the material from his period in DIO, which Ronnie had not played for 20 years. With bassist ‘Arry Gogstead and singer Nils Patrik Johansson the lineup was stable and toured in Norway twice under the name Queenstreet. But there was one part missing, and with the addition of 25 year Black Sabbath member Geoff Nicholls, The Southern Cross became the natural successor of Heaven and Hell and what DIO musically stood for in the eighties and early nineties.

This 2012 tour sees the band visit highlights from Rainbow, Black Sabbath and DIO. Songs like Man on the silver mountain, Falling off the edge of the world, Lock up the wolves, don’t talk to strangers and of course the classics heaven and Hell and Holy Diver are all featured in the concerts.

So now it’s time to dig out your old Rainbow and Sabbath LPs again and rediscover the power of Heaven and Hell, Rainbow Rising, Mob Rules, Holy Diver and all the other immortal records Ronnie James Dio left us with.

The band has lined up a handful of dates so far for their November tour.   Here’s what’s confirmed.  I’m told more are going to happen, and should be announced shortly.

• November 6- Larvik / Norway
• November 7- Drammen /Norway
• November 8- Bergen /Norway
• November 9- Rjukan /Norway
• November 10- Jevnaker /Norway
• November 16- Rock at Sea / Sweden

The band also has a Myspace page available here, but at the moment, there’s not much more info than is available on this site.    That should change shortly.   Hope to see these guys hit the United States!   Below is some information about each individual band member.

A note to the band.. I know I don’t get a choice, but you guys should bust out some material from the partially worked on second Dio album with Rowan Robertson that never got released when Ronnie went back to Sabbath for Dehumanizer.  Now THAT would be seriously unique - unreleased Dio material?!?!!   Bring it on, lads!

After I posted this page, I found this Youtube video of the band in 2011 before Geoff Nicholls joined up performing the Dio track “Hey Angel”.  Check it out:

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

The Band

Geoff Nicholls

A member of Black Sabbath for 25 years, playing on all albums and all tours between 1979 and 2004.

In the eighties he was the only member to stay with Tony Iommi through the numerous lineup changes.

He has written several of the band’s most memorable songs along with Iommi.

Rowan Robertson

Rowan joined DIO in 1989, only 17 years old. With his fluent and bluesy playing, he quickly became a favorite among young guitarists at the time.

He wrote the main part of the album Lock up the Wolves along with Ronnie, and the result was a more “raw & back to basics” DIO album than the 2 that came before it.

Nils Patrik Johansson

Hard rock singer extraordinaire. He is one of Sweden’s most successful singers, working with classic heavy rock band Astral Doors and the ultra- heavy, powerful and technical outfit Lion’s Share.

Without trying to copy RJD in detail, Patrik has a similar expression in his voice and fits this band perfectly. He is a natural front man as well, which doesn’t hurt.

‘Arry Gogstead

A bass player in every sense of the word. With his Woodo bass turned up to 11 with a biting fuzz sound, he holds the low end of the band together as no-one else can.

He has grinded his teeth on the road all over Europe with acts such as Paul Di’Anno and Ripper Owens for the past 5 years.

Rick Hagan

A power house drummer in the traditional style of Ian Paice, Cozy Powell and Vinny Appice.

He is the band’s driving force both on and off stage.