Geezer gives us an update.

[wheels77]

http://www.geezerbutler.com/2012/05/heavy-heart/

Heavy Heart
Posted on May 19, 2012

I feel sad to see the Sabbath reunion becoming a bit of a soap opera on the internet. It has been a very tough year for us as a band, having announced our reunion plans, only for Tony to be diagnosed with lymphoma, leaving us no choice but to postpone the proposed Sabbath tour, and then for Bill to go public on his site about an un-signable contract. None of us knew how Tony was going to respond to his intensive chemo therapy, and radiotherapy. Ozzy and myself flew to England to be with Tony, and on his “good” days, we’d meet at his home studio and put ideas together for the upcoming album, all sitting down together, no drummer involved, just 3 of us quietly putting together ideas. We thought that when we had enough songs together for a full band rehearsal, we’d move back to L.A and put the whole thing together with Bill. Unfortunately, to our surprise, Bill issued a statement on his site saying he’d been offered an un-signable contract. He hadn’t told any one of us he was having contractual problems, and frankly those things are worked out between our representatives, and never between the four of us let alone in public. We had the idea of keeping just one show in this year, hoping that Tony would be well enough for that show, and that things with Bill would be sorted. As you may expect, a one off show at Donnington Festival (Download) costs an absolute fortune to stage, involving over 50 people, transport, air fares, hotels, meals, agents, promotors, accountants, lawyers etc, so none of us, expected to make much money from it- it was a one off Sabbath show for the fans, before we go into recording the new album. Apparently, this wasn’t acceptable to Bill’s representatives, they wanted an amount that was so unrealistic that it seemed to have been a joke. So we resigned ourselves to doing Download without Bill, hoping he’d change his mind and at least make a guest appearance. We started rehearsals a few weeks ago with Tommy Cluefetos, the drummer who will be on the Ozzy and Friends Tour. Brilliant drummer and good bloke. It was decided we’d better do a warm up show, to break the ice since we haven’t played together live. The O2 Academy was available in Birmingham, where we were rehearsing, so we decided on that, and to make a donation to Help For Heroes Charity, since we’d be ironing out any glitches we may have. Then Bill put out a further statement saying he’d been ready to play the Birmingham show , but he was expected to have to do it “for free”- well, I think that’s basically how you raise money from gigs for charity – you play them “for free”.

All I am saying is that there are two sides to everything. I do hope to play with Bill again some day. For whatever reason; it wasn’t meant to be this time. Bill’s made his decision, and I have to respect that. Hopefully this painful year will be worth the wait for the new Sabbath album and end in joy and happiness for all.

Stay frosty,
Geezer

[Josef_K]

I saw that on Facebook as well. I really don't know what to say, I read lots of hateful comments toward Geezer and Sabbath on his page and eventually I realized my opinion on this. I frankly do not care. It is impossible for me to know which side to be on, even if it might seem like Bill is the good guy here at least I have NO idea how money-hungry his representatives are, and I have no interest in finding out. If they can't work this out, they can't, that's where it ends for me. I enjoy the smaller bands of today much more than big bands like Sabbath to be honest, it's more about the music and less problems ^^. I don't even want to rant about $haron anymore, it's just so pointless. The fans only mean so much, I mean if there is a Sabbath show in my hometown I will go to it, so $haron doesn't have to care about what I think at the end of the day.

[BackStreetKid]

No matter what side you're on, it's all pretty sad really. These guys are in their 60s now, one would think they'd be able to get along but obviously when managements involved that becomes near impossible.

Whatever happens though, as much as I love Bill Ward and would love a full reunion, at the end of the day, hell would have to freeze over before I didn't go to one of these Sabbath shows!

[Monster Boy]

Has anybody else noticed that Sabbath reunion = I Sharon Bean But? or Auntie Sharon BB? or Sharon Ate Nib Ub? Clearly, she wrote this statement, not Geezer

[Billy Underdog]

Has anybody else noticed that Sabbath reunion = I Sharon Bean But? or Auntie Sharon BB? or Sharon Ate Nib Ub? Clearly, she wrote this statement, not Geezer

As i said in another thread, this whole fuck-up seems to be because of managers and representatives more than the band. They should've met up, had a sit-down, and talk it out face to face...

[Josef_K]

As i said in another thread, this whole fuck-up seems to be because of managers and representatives more than the band. They should've met up, had a sit-down, and talk it out face to face...

I think the reason why they don't do that is that they all know the truth. This truth is that whatever agreement THEY make, the actual agreement will be written by $haron and other representatives. At least that's what I think ^^

[TYR66]

Now , I especially think that it is better to wait before judging. Everything goes very fast and reacting is acting without thinking ...
Most importantly, for a fan , Tony seems to be fine and Black Sabbath was on stage last night .

[J Hillenburg]

It's ridiculous. This is my comment from his website -

Now for some direct contradiction:

“As you may expect, a one off show at Donnington Festival (Download) costs an absolute fortune to stage, involving over 50 people, transport, air fares, hotels, meals, agents, promotors, accountants, lawyers etc, so none of us, expected to make much money from it”

Followed by -

“Then Bill put out a further statement saying he’d been ready to play the Birmingham show , but he was expected to have to do it “for free”- well, I think that’s basically how you raise money from gigs for charity – you play them “for free”.

So… what is it Geezer? Are you not expecting to not make much from the hometown gig or are you too playing the gig for “free”? If you are making money from the gig, then Bill should make money as well. Inquiring minds want to know.

[Monster Boy]

It's ridiculous. This is my comment from his website -

Now for some direct contradiction:

“As you may expect, a one off show at Donnington Festival (Download) costs an absolute fortune to stage, involving over 50 people, transport, air fares, hotels, meals, agents, promotors, accountants, lawyers etc, so none of us, expected to make much money from it”

Followed by -

“Then Bill put out a further statement saying he’d been ready to play the Birmingham show , but he was expected to have to do it “for free”- well, I think that’s basically how you raise money from gigs for charity – you play them “for free”.

So… what is it Geezer? Are you not expecting to not make much from the hometown gig or are you too playing the gig for “free”? If you are making money from the gig, then Bill should make money as well. Inquiring minds want to know.

Your logic is nearly flawless. Except the fact that the Donnington Festival and the Birmingham gig are completely different shows. Try again.

[Billy Underdog]

Your logic is nearly flawless. Except the fact that the Donnington Festival and the Birmingham gig are completely different shows. Try again.

Hah

Sounds like Douglas Adams

[J Hillenburg]

Indeed! It pays to pay attention, eh? When you bite into a shit sandwich because you aren't paying attention, you've got to own it.

[Monster Boy]

Happens all the time, glad you can own it

[J Hillenburg]

I've allowed myself to get too emotionally involved in this ridiculous drama. I was quite taken with the idea of seeing/hearing the original four on what is, undoubtedly in my mind, the last hurrah and the feeling of having the rug pulled out from under me, per usual with this band in one way or another, has been maddening.