Black Sabbath to play Download Festival "warm-up show" on May 17th

[Soul Sucker]

From their facebook page:

[drian]

Well almost right.
19th of may
Bricking it about gettin tickets !!!

[Iconosphere]

This is the first time I've felt disappointed to have moved away from the Birmingham area in a year. Else I'd have been there. Oh well, roll on Download. I guess we'll be finding out very soon what the drummer situation is.

[drian]

Im doing everything within my power to get to this. Im seeing abotu driving down to brum on friday and buying from the box office

[Charger]

Interesting to see they're using the Never Say Die art for the gig poster...well has a bit of an ironic meaning to it I suppose.

But it is great to see Tony doing well enough to do this show.

[drian]

Think its more to do with Tony stark wearing that shirt all the way through the new avengers film.

[IRON-MaN]

BILL WARD is listed AGAIN on Black Sabbath Face book page ! the gig will certainly be a warm up and a major announcement that the original Sabbath is back with Bill !

[Charger]

That's interesting....I suppose they got it worked out then...I'd imagine an official press release is about to come on that subject too then...?

[LouiST]

BILL WARD is listed AGAIN on Black Sabbath Face book page ! the gig will certainly be a warm up and a major announcement that the original Sabbath is back with Bill !

I saw that too but it seems that they haven't added Bill's page back yet.
Anyway to me it's a sign of great news.

[Iconosphere]

I wouldn't count ya chickens just yet.
It still only mentions Ozzy, Tony and Geezer here on the official site.
http://www.blacksabbath.com/article_06.html

It also says it's been 13 years since they played Birmingham. I saw em at the Academy, Brum in 2001, so they got that wrong.

[svullo]

Tony Iommi will be playing despite battling cancer, although drummer Bill Ward is not in the line-up, following a contract dispute.

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/t...#ixzz1tXWBkzyn

[57goldtop]

.......Sabbath take the stage...........unidentifiable drummer takes his place behind the kit..........Sabbath are about to start their first number........a familiar figure strides onstage wielding a baseball bat and chases the drummer off.........Mr Bill Ward settles onto the drumstool...........

[IRON-MaN]

Tony Iommi will be playing despite battling cancer, although drummer Bill Ward is not in the line-up, following a contract dispute.

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/t...#ixzz1tXWBkzyn

This is a speculation and not a fact ! no one simply knows who is going to be behind those kits till the 19th of May ! My own bet its going to be Bill !

[Old_Papa_Rich]

I'm not counting any chickens, but... get it done guys!

[mikesline]

This is the first time I've felt disappointed to have moved away from the Birmingham area in a year. Else I'd have been there. Oh well, roll on Download. I guess we'll be finding out very soon what the drummer situation is.

don't feel to bad about it,you know who else ain't gonna be there-----bill ward.

[Soul Sucker]

This is a speculation and not a fact ! no one simply knows who is going to be behind those kits till the 19th of May ! My own bet its going to be Bill !

If Bill was going to be there, his name would have been mentioned in the announcement:

HOMECOMING SHOW
BLACK SABBATH ANNOUNCE AN INTIMATE HOMECOMING SHOW AT O2 ACADEMY BIRMINGHAM ON 19TH MAY

In preparation for their hugely anticipated headline performance at this year's Download Festival, Black Sabbath have announced an intimate homecoming show at the O2 Academy in Birmingham on Saturday, 19th May. The show will be the band's first in Birmingham for thirteen years. A donation to Help for Heroes will be made from the proceeds of the show. Ticket info coming soon.

Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler return to their hometown for this exclusive show following November's momentous announcement that the band are currently working on their first studio album in thirty three years with seven-time Grammy winning producer Rick Rubin. It will be their ninth studio album together and their first since 1978's Never Say Die!

[mds]

They should have the courtesy to call it what it is: Butler/Iommi/Osbourne, not Black Sabbath, to play Black Sabbath songs. Mr. Osbourne himself has gone on record saying that unless it is all four originals it isn't Sabbath.

[KazolOrajia]

Obviously it's no good to get your hopes up, but it's possible that the announcement of the website was written earlier, and they worked things out with Bill afterwards, which is why he's back on their Facebook.

This is highly unlikely, of course, just hopeful speculation.

With that said, I really really really wish I lived in the UK right now, since two of Sabbath's three planned dates are there. Extremely jealous of all you Brits.

[Old_Papa_Rich]

Obviously it's no good to get your hopes up, but it's possible that the announcement of the website was written earlier, and they worked things out with Bill afterwards, which is why he's back on their Facebook.

I've never really looked at Sabbath's Facebook page before today. Are we sure that Bill's name was removed in the first place?

[Wicked Cricket]

This is huge news, it means Iommi's cancer battle is winning on his side, Ward not there's a bummer, but it would be a bigger one if the other 3 cancelled all plans because of it. Bring on the mighty BLACK SABBATH!

[Soul Sucker]

They should have the courtesy to call it what it is: Butler/Iommi/Osbourne, not Black Sabbath, to play Black Sabbath songs. Mr. Osbourne himself has gone on record saying that unless it is all four originals it isn't Sabbath.

Wow, okay. They should rename the band just because ONE original member is missing? What about bands like AC/DC, Dream Theater, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, KISS, Motorhead, Van Halen, etc? Should they change their names too?

[Kgb]

Who knows they might all surprise us and we'll have Bill Ward take the stage.

[Ochlocracy]

Wow, okay. They should rename the band just because ONE original member is missing? What about bands like AC/DC, Dream Theater, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, KISS, Motorhead, Van Halen, etc? Should they change their names too?

As much as I like Bill's drumming, that post made my day.

[Charger]

Ofcourse they shouldn't change their name...It's still Black Sabbath.

It's just not the "original Black Sabbath" which was the way it was marketed in the beginning....now they are not. It's just Black Sabbath...as it should be.

[mds]

Wow, okay. They should rename the band just because ONE original member is missing? What about bands like AC/DC, Dream Theater, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, KISS, Motorhead, Van Halen, etc? Should they change their names too?

Because unlike those groups you listed, the band is on record as saying the Sabbath name would be used only if all of the original members participated. The November 11 announcement was based on all 4 members participating under the Sabbath name. As far as I can tell not all four will be playing on May 17. Therefore according to the band themselves, it's not Black Sabbath and shouldn't be promoted as such. They can call it whatever they want, I'm simply pointing out what they have been saying for the past four years.

[Iconosphere]

On a side note on the subject of the venue (o2 Academy), this building on Google Street maps is where they recorded some of their first demos ('When I Came Down', etc). It was called Zella Records (It now says 'Ladbrooke Pianos' on it). Quite famous back in it's day in the area. Well if you turn round in Google street maps 180 degrees, you'll see the venue they are to play. Quite a homecoming eh.

http://g.co/maps/wjdwc

And as an extra............. http://www.popsike.com/OZZY-OSBOURNE...000440629.html

[IRON-MaN]

If Bill was going to be there, his name would have been mentioned in the announcement:

Sir , if Bill is going to be there , IT HAS TO BE A SURPRISE ! now everyone will be buzzing whether Bill is going to be there on the 19th or not ! like I said earlier , if Bill is going to be there , its a perfect way to announce it and if not , its also the best way to do so , people have to get a picture of what the line-up will be exactly at 'Download' , personally , I have this feeling its going to be the original 4 !

[LouiST]

IMO if Bill is not going to be in the camp, the announcement should make it clear so that people will not be disappointed when knowing that Bill is not there.

[Soul Sucker]

IMO if Bill is not going to be in the camp, the announcement should make it clear so that people will not be disappointed when knowing that Bill is not there.

The announcement mentioned that Tony, Geezer & Ozzy will be playing the show. Bill won't be playing, because his name wasn't mentioned. Sabbath's last announcement (regarding Bill) was that they were continuing without him. I'd say that's clear enough.

[scorpio 2000]

I hope they put up a setlist before the gig. To wet peoples appetite.

[Borg]

I am glad that Tony, Geezer & Ozzy will play. I thought they were not going to play again ever, I saw Heaven and Hell as the closing act of Tony and Geezer's careers. I did not expect this, but I am glad this is happening, it would be better with Bill, but if Bill is not there, well that's life. I'll take what is offered anyway.

[Sartana]

No Bill? That just pisses me off

[Sabbathman]

They should record & film both shows (Birmingham & Download), that show poster could be a perfect DVD cover too.

[LouiST]

BTW didn't they say that the tour happens AFTER releasing the album?

[KazolOrajia]

I never heard that. I always assumed they'd start touring before the album.

Anyways, I'm really hoping the concert will be streamed live. Since I can't be there, It'd be the closest thing and I'd want to see the historic first concert with Ozzy since 2005. If not, I'm sure Download will be streamed at least.

[drian]

Yeah uh...I kinda got tickets.

never been more happy
oh there was a pre sale today annouced at 10 pm last night

[PunkSabbath]

Hi, I recived an email from blacksabbath.com about a exclusive fan ticket pre-sale for the 19 May gig.
I couldn't get a ticket though, I was probably too late and their all gone now, bummer.
I hope I can get one tomorrow when the general sale starts

[scorpio 2000]

If this show sells out , which i know it will, i wonder if they will add a second show? If Iommi is up to it.

[Iconosphere]

Should have held it at the Civic Halls in Wolverhampton. Much better venue and not far away. The new o2 Academy is a terrible venue. But I guess it just HAD to be in Birmingham.

[oldfart]

Should have held it at the Civic Halls in Wolverhampton. Much better venue and not far away. The new o2 Academy is a terrible venue. But I guess it just HAD to be in Birmingham.

Couldnt agree more.New Academy poor venue,compared to the Civic.
O2 priority sold out in a record 9 mins.Tickets on sale 9 o clock this morning by 2 minutes past Tickerweb had none.Got my card detail in and my address and then nothing.BUGGER.