Black Sabbath Drummer On Possibility Of Reunion

Original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward will be interviewed by Ian Camfield of U.K.s Xfm Radio on Saturday, April 4 between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.

If you are in U.K., you can listen to the show by tuning in to 104.9 FM on digital radio, or you can stream the program via the Internet at www.xfm.co.uk.

39 years after its 1970 release, Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" album is being re-released as a three-CD deluxe edition, featuring the original album, a quadraphonic mix and a disc full of instrumental and alternate versions.

Ward tells Shropshire Star: "There was some spare tape left, so we said, 'Let's see if we can get another song and we all went down the pub which is the best place to work — well, it was then — and when we got back Tony [Iommi, guitar] had got a really, really good riff. Tony and Geezer [Butler, bass] and myself just sat in and just started playing and it didn't take long at all to have the song with all its parts pretty much done. I think within the afternoon it was taken care of. Ozzy [Osbourne, vocals] had his jamming lyrics, almost rough stuff, as we jammed down the first things. It probably [was] pretty much in the ballpark, his melody's there. We did that with quite a lot of our songs and we would change that around until we reached the final album version."

Ward insists the door is not shut on the idea of a full-blown reunion of Black Sabbath's original lineup.

"I have an open mind when it comes to Sabbath," he tells Shropshire Star. "We just haven't done anything for the last three years. But the door's wide open as far as Black Sabbath is concerned.

"Playing, doing anything with the original band, that's where I would like to be."

He adds: "Ozzy and I have maintained our relationship, and I've maintained my relationship with the other fellas pretty much all the way through. Nobody's far from each other.

"I saw Oz on his birthday. We went to Vegas and that's the last time I saw him. But I actually spoke to him about three or four days ago. He's doing fantastic, he's doing really well."

Thanks for the report to Blabbermouth.net.

Comments

[FireBirdKing]

oooooh I like this.

[uk.mace]

That would be very cool, but I don't know how good Ozzy is nowadays.

[PaulieIommi]

Please happen.

[xHellbound]

Well, you can't have two Sabbath's, so this explains why they are calling Dio-Sabbath "Heaven and Hell."

[xHellbound]

Woops, didn't mean to double post..

"a disc full of instrumental versions"

Honestly, I'd rather have "naked" tracks.

[merrill_howard]

solid

[korinaflyingv]

Bill Ward = drum god
if they reunite it will doubtless be unaffordable... hope they play a festival or something

[Eternium]

korinaflyingv wrote:

Bill Ward = drum god
if they reunite it will doubtless be unaffordable... hope they play a festival or something

It'd be worth it to see the first ever heavy metal band before they retire/die.

[TonyKellogg55]

Eternium wrote:

korinaflyingv wrote:

Bill Ward = drum god
if they reunite it will doubtless be unaffordable... hope they play a festival or something
It'd be worth it to see the first ever heavy metal band before they retire/die.

I don't agree...if you live your entire life hearing the studio versions, then go see a band almost two generations after their prime, the chance for disappointment is WAY too high to pay a ridiculous amount of money for.

[stef123]

Please be true!

[RequiemofDemons]

I don't agree...if you live your entire life hearing the studio versions, then go see a band almost two generations after their prime, the chance for disappointment is WAY too high to pay a ridiculous amount of money for.

meh depends, chances are a lot of people would be just going to say they "saw" the band, wouldn't really matter if they effed up here and there.

[HardRockKid]

Ozzys doing great by the way, have you heard black rain uk.mace

[SirShredfast]

No thanks, I'd rather have Heaven and Hell.

[Simsimius]

SirShredfast wrote:

No thanks, I'd rather have Heaven and Hell.

Dio > Ozzy

[tands]

I dont know about a reunion but a 3disc paranoid is freakin sick

[David_Bowie=GOD]

Simsimius wrote:

SirShredfast wrote:

No thanks, I'd rather have Heaven and Hell.

Dio > Ozzy

When it comes to Sabbath, Ozzy > Dio

your right when it comes to their solo careers though

Solo: Dio > Ozzy

[Rhoads_1096]

It is not Sabbath with out Ozzy

[de-fexxx666]

I'd rather see them stick with Dio. They're still able to record with Dio (The big problem with Sabbath between '97 and '06 was Ozzy's unwillingness to record), they are a hell of a live act (Seen both the original line up and H&H, and it was a no brainer), and Dio doesn't refure to play more than the same ten songs. Plus, Dio is still an amazing singer.

[crazy8rgood]

I would pay for it just to get an instrumental version of "Planet Caravan". A remixed version with Ozzy's vocals boosted would be nice, too, I always thought they were a bit to quiet in that song.

[dgme92]

Yeah, I would love to see this, but they would have to have Ozzy on board to get me to go. Don't get me wrong, I love Sabbath with Dio. I'd just love to see a "classic lineup" reunion for a few shows and call it a day then.

[k3vin70]

Sweet
ozzy with sabbath
is way better then heven and hell

[The_Seventh_Sin]

Heaven and Hell's great

but im loving the idea of Black Sabbath reunited with the Ozz and Bill

[Encore_God]

I'm looking forward to the H&H tour. The new stuff sounds exceptional. If 'Ozzy Sabbath' can match that with new stuff, then they should go for it.

[flame_mc]

Why did Black Sabbath separate?

[SylvaShredder]

Black Sabbath, with an old Ozzy who can hardly speak. Something over 50 or 60 USD no doubt... No...

[Spoony_Bard]

Why would you reunite Sabbath? Heaven and Hell anyone? We already have the perfect Sabbath lineup on tour AND releasing a new record. Leave Ozzy to his silly TV shows.

[BlackSymphony6]

dio and ozzy are both icon vocalists but dio has definately won the battle with age.

ozzy just cant cut it anymore, while dio still sounds pretty good for someone in their 60s.

[Lacebad]

David_Bowie=GOD wrote:

Simsimius wrote:

SirShredfast wrote:

No thanks, I'd rather have Heaven and Hell.

Dio > Ozzy

When it comes to Sabbath, Ozzy > Dio

your right when it comes to their solo careers though

Solo: Dio > Ozzy

my sentiments exactly

[Jugulator_cro]

Who gives a ****? The new Heaven & Hell album is coming out in a couple of weeks, and that`s more than I could ask for.

[Toker420]

Bill Ward your drumming was untouchable in your youth. Im afraid youre old and slow now and yet you still rock harder than most drummers in their prime. Good to hear anything about you and/or Sabbath.

[SanJose]

Would love to see the original Sabbath (a)live! So I really hope it will be a reunion.

[Silas S Thompso]

Ward insists the door is not shut on the idea of a full-blown reunion of Black Sabbath's original lineup.

Don't they do this every year. And I think ozzy's lost it. Dio is like 66 of 7 and he still sings good. I think he should play with them, ozzy can't really do to much anymore besides mumble.

[Stevo-no-Braino]

Oh dear... I really prefer Dio over Ozzy, Dio can sing... Hahah!
It's funny that Bill Ward wouldn't do the reunion when they had Dio because Ozzy wasn't there, now his boyfriend is on the scene he's all for it

[Xanadu_ROCK]

ozzy sold his soul to MTV years ago. He can't go back to sabbath. And sharon is a bitch for not letting Heaven and Hell use the Sabbath name. Tony Iommi IS Black Sabbath. Ozzy is like paul maccartney just milking his past successes because he know he cant come up with anything good on his own

[metal overlord]

HOLY SHIT

if the original Black Sabbath reunited...
I'd...
oh my god

I don't even know, it gives me chills even to think about it. I'd probably like faint or die when they came on stage

I'd probably be balling my eyes out in pure enjoyment
I would kill my family and best friends to see something like that

[StratStar21]

Xanadu_ROCK ozzy sold his soul to MTV years ago. He can't go back to sabbath. And sharon is a bitch for not letting Heaven and Hell use the Sabbath name. Tony Iommi IS Black Sabbath. Ozzy is like paul maccartney just milking his past successes because he know he cant come up with anything good on his own
POSTED: 04/03/2009 - 04:13 pm / quote |

they didnt use the Black Sabbath name cause they didnt want people to expect them to be playin paranoid, iron man, war pigs, etc. Iommi has the rights to the Sabbath name so im not sure what you mean with the sharon thing. Id be pumped for Ozzy or Dio Sabbath, even though i like Dio way more. even in their 60's its still better than almost all the other "music" out there.

[Spaz91]

If they make an album with Ozzy it'll be good, the other members are still in top shape and, as for Ozzy, he's still going strong. Black Rain is one of my all time favourite albums.

[destöroyah]

it would actually be a dream come true to see the original sabbath line up perform their early material

[Pepperommi]

SylvaShredder wrote:

Black Sabbath, with an old Ozzy who can hardly speak. Something over 50 or 60 USD no doubt... No...

That was Ozzy when he was being given far too much medication. He still stutters yeah but he's still got it. And 50-60 USD too expensive to see BLACK SABBATH!?!?!!? Metallica was around $90 canadian and they aren't half the band sabbath is

[Hamham272]

Saw Ozzy last year, he can still sing like a mofo. Please stop saying he can't sing anymore when you obviously have no idea at all

[Slaytanic1986]

havent black sabbath already reunited enough?

[Minkaro]

Shropshire Star? How the hell did they get a hold of him?

[yaxow]

TonyKellogg55 wrote:

Eternium wrote:

korinaflyingv wrote:

Bill Ward = drum god
if they reunite it will doubtless be unaffordable... hope they play a festival or something
It'd be worth it to see the first ever heavy metal band before they retire/die.

I don't agree...if you live your entire life hearing the studio versions, then go see a band almost two generations after their prime, the chance for disappointment is WAY too high to pay a ridiculous amount of money for.

of course sabbath wont dissapoint. all of them have still been playing music so it's not like they are rusty or unprepared so i dont see how they would have a high chance of disapointment

[David Blackbird]

Slaytanic1986 wrote:

havent black sabbath already reunited enough?

you can't reunite enough until you have the original lineup

[Paramecium302]

I wanna see Geezer!

[ozzynator]

The original Line-up, the one that crafted Metal as we know it, is the one and only Black Sabbath. Dont get me wrong Dio is a kick ass singer and the new Heaven and Hell album is gonna be great, but Sabbath is Ozzy, Bill, Geezer and Tony.
A reunion would be EPIC !!!!! these guys may be old but they still rock harder and better than most of today's bands. Even Ozzy still has it, saw him on tour last year, the guy can still put on a great show, so please if you call yourself a Metal fan show some respect to the guy and to all the original Black Sabbath because without them i dont know what crap i would be listening to today XD.
\m/

[HEXAGRAM66]

How mant bits of reunion news have i seen on this site in last 2yrs??? how many reunions actually happened...

[syke5]

YES just a chance makes me smile

[IShallBeFree10]

to be honest with you i cant stand dio 1970's sabbath is the only way to go sorry =)

[texasthrasher]

uk.mace wrote:

That would be very cool, but I don't know how good Ozzy is nowadays.

he's amazing i saw him at ozzfest last year!

[therudycometh]

Dio and Ozzy should do a tour together. Bring along Tony, Geezer, Bill, and Vinny. Two drummers would be fun.

And Zakk and Craig Goldy can come for some fun, too. Then Ozzy and Dio can sing on each other's solo stuff... can you imagine them both singing "Rainbow in the Dark" or "Mr. Crowley"? It would be weird... but cool in a way.

*sighs* What a great tour that would be. You'd have three (arguably four, if you count Sabbath and H&H as separate bands) on tour at once, and only need enough members for two and a half bands.

[syke5]

actually thats an awesome idea ^
|

[The_Raven]

Sweet

[SuicidalFreak]

I hope a Sabbath reunion with Ozzy does happen again. The band is not completely the same without him.

[SmittyBaGitty]

sweet, especially great because we cant possibly hope for a full blown Zeppelin reunion!

[guitarman108]

yea i hope bill ward reunites with them

[ihavenoname93]

metal overlord wrote:

HOLY SHIT

if the original Black Sabbath reunited...
I'd...
oh my god

I don't even know, it gives me chills even to think about it. I'd probably like faint or die when they came on stage

I'd probably be balling my eyes out in pure enjoyment
I would kill my family and best friends to see something like that

and here we have the worlds only black sabbath fanboy!

id buy an album, but i doubt theyre in form to put on a decent live show

[RaySolava]

pleeeaasse make this happen!!!!

[Serjem]

it would be nice to see them back together, but i really doubt it would be any good since ozzy is a vegetable :/

[mercurymay]

Although Ozzy is pretty much the original heavy metal icon, I'd have to say that Dio's voice suits Tony's riffing more, and Ozzy really doesn't have a great voice.

A reunion would be awesome, and no doubt be very successful, but some things are best left in 1979.

[Anjohl]

I prefer Ward to Appice anyday, but I prefer Dio to Ozzy anyday. Has anyone SEEN what Ozzy has been doing lately? "The Osbournes reloaded". Yeah.

[LimeGig]

That would be awesome, though they might not be as good as they was in the 70s.

[Elmo Jade Blue]

LimeGig wrote:

That would be awesome, though they might not be as good as they was in the 70s.

OF COURSE NOT

Ok Black Sabbath isn't Black Sabbath without Ozzy.

Never really heard Dio sing and by the post I read that he is good BUT..... I am glad they went with a different name. I have nothing against Dio but I just dont think its the same.

[SharpObject]

It's cool but doesn't give a whole lot to go on. I'm not holding my breath.
And it's good to hear Ozzy is doing well

[DimeShadow]

OH THIS WILL HAPPEN. Y'KNOW WHEN IT'LL HAPPEN!

15TH ANNIVERSARY OF OZZFEST, BITCHES!!!!

[Steeze]

like someone said...There is only ONE black sabbath. Ozzy, Tony, Bill, and Geezer. I have utmost respect for each and every one of these individuals.

Ozzy is epic. you can't have sabbath without Ozzy. you just can't. impossible.

[Oxendoobie]

Rhoads_1096 wrote:

It is not Sabbath with out Ozzy

Wrong, It's not Sabbath without Tony and Geezer.

Checked.

[TheMysticBard]

Rhoads_1096 wrote:

It is not Sabbath with out Ozzy

Actually it is, It isnt Sabbath without Iommi.

[beastregards]

Forget this.

BLACK SABBATH under "Heaven & Hell" (done purely to avoid moronic chants for Iron Man when there's plenty of Dio-Sabbath era songs to be played) and are releasing their 19th studio album "The Devil You Know" later this month.

And personally I'd much rather have an album of passionate, powerful music with SABBATH's current lineup are capable of.

2009/2010 belongs to HEAVEN & HELL with a new album and hopefully international world tour.

Let's just enjoy this instead of pipe dreams of what COULD happen in the far future.

Oh and I have my copy of PARANOID (DELUXE EDITION) and the instrumental tracks are a pretty great listen, proving regardless of singer the meat and backbone is in the MUSIC and it speaks for itself.

[beastregards]

rollingriverj13 wrote:
You guys are retarded Ozzy is way better than Dio, Ozzy's musicians are way better than Black Sabbath. Randy Rhoads is a millions of times better than Iomi there is no comparison, Ozzy > Dio

bollocks. Ronnie James Dio has a masterful range and epic vocals.

You're lucky if Ozzy can keep himself together on stage for a 1hr and half set anymore.

As for musicianship...Randy Rhoads played on TWO albums out of Ozzys...what? 18 album career? LOL. And while ZW was cool and original to begin with theres only so many harmonics that can carry Ozzy's inane babblings these days.

To say that Zakk Wylde or anyone in Ozzy's camp even comes close to Black Sabbath is just embaressing.

With Dio, Holy Diver is a stronger album than anything in Ozzy's backcatalogue... to say the least.

[Saintanger20]

There needs to be Black Sabbath reunion and a new album. If not a new album, the reunion will be enough. Rock on!!!!!

[Metallicaloveu]

Would be nice.

[StratStar21]

beastregards wrote:

rollingriverj13 wrote:
You guys are retarded Ozzy is way better than Dio, Ozzy's musicians are way better than Black Sabbath. Randy Rhoads is a millions of times better than Iomi there is no comparison, Ozzy > Dio

bollocks. Ronnie James Dio has a masterful range and epic vocals.

You're lucky if Ozzy can keep himself together on stage for a 1hr and half set anymore.

As for musicianship...Randy Rhoads played on TWO albums out of Ozzys...what? 18 album career? LOL. And while ZW was cool and original to begin with theres only so many harmonics that can carry Ozzy's inane babblings these days.

To say that Zakk Wylde or anyone in Ozzy's camp even comes close to Black Sabbath is just embaressing.

With Dio, Holy Diver is a stronger album than anything in Ozzy's backcatalogue... to say the least.

Ya you tell him beastregards, id take Dio over Ozzy anyday, and Elmo Jade Blue, how the hell have you never heard Dio sing!? i command you to go out and purchase Holy Diver or Last In Line IMMEDIATELY

[Mondo Generator]

this looks promising.

[3 days grace14]

hey dio's great and all but he wasn't the original sabbath now i got nuthin against him but i'd pay to see the ORIGINAL sabbath that would be epic in my eyes!!

[randomhero65]

I saw Heaven and Hell with Testament, Priest, and Motorhear this past summer, and I must quote Tenacious D...'DIO has rock for a long long time!'

I will not quote the rest of the song because it doesnt fit. I must say that when Heaven and Hell finished, my ears rang because Dio's vocals were extremely loud but insanely awesome! It was fun getting to see Geezer and Ioomi play.

It's really awesome to say I saw Dio Sabbath, Testament, Priest, and Motorhead.

[randomhero65]

Motorhead*

[Levi79]

Wow, i can't wait for this, if they do a reunion tour the tickets are going to be insane! but worth it.

[Gasa]

sabbath bloody sabbath!!! i can't wait the reunion

[UnaLaguna]

Jugulator_cro wrote:

Who gives a ****? The new Heaven & Hell album is coming out in a couple of weeks, and that`s more than I could ask for.

Ozzy-era Sabbath was very, very good, but Dio-era Sabbath had a more refined, mature and deep sound.

The albums with Ozzy were great heavy metal. The albums with Dio were friggin' art. And you can't say that about much heavy metal.

[gerbil_mastr]

metal overlord wrote:

HOLY SHIT

if the original Black Sabbath reunited...
I'd...
oh my god

I don't even know, it gives me chills even to think about it. I'd probably like faint or die when they came on stage

I'd probably be balling my eyes out in pure enjoyment
I would kill my family and best friends to see something like that

Damn lol thats a little much

Checked.

[Guitarphi1]

i love ozzy

[NOTHINGSAFE91]

Great. i Love Sabbath. As for the arguement over who is the better sabbath singer, i personally like the Ozzy Sabbath better, but i seriously think Dio has a much better voice. But i would choose Ozzy's Sabbath over Dio's Sabbath (or Heavan and Hell) anyday.

[Silas S Thompso]

Dio is older by like 10 years than ozzy and he still sings better.

[perilouspete]

uk.mace wrote:

That would be very cool, but I don't know how good Ozzy is nowadays.

I saw him twice last year and he still puts on a great show. The guy's like 63, so of course he's not jumping around the stage or anything but he definitely puts his heart into the show. Ozzy was and will always be one of rock's greatest front men. He bleeds rock n roll, and you have to respect that.

[irontremelo]

OMG OMG OMG OMG
lol
But seriously this has to happen!!!!!

[LoadThe6pounder]

SirShredfast wrote:

No thanks, I'd rather have Heaven and Hell.

Amen, i'm not holding my breath for a reunion. I'm sorry but Ozzy just plain sucks live these days. Stoked for a 3 - disc reissue, though!

[rocker222]

BlackSymphony6 wrote:

dio and ozzy are both icon vocalists but dio has definately won the battle with age.

ozzy just cant cut it anymore, while dio still sounds pretty good for someone in their 60s.

i saw ozy durning free fest he was a monster, and still has it.

[bullsfan419]

this would be so sick if this happened.

[2137krt42]

I saw in Prague the last part of Black Sabbath's concert, with the last change that I had in my pocket and could drink a refreshment during the break. Actually, I already found myself much to sick to be in such a crowd of people. There is not much fun to be found. 2137krt42

[sheppo]

yeah with a new heaven and hell album i don't think it will happen too soon

[Clabbe]

awesome ! =)

[frethappy]

I would like to hear Ozzy and Dio sing a duet together.
They could do Close My Ears Forever and Dio could sing the girl part, although I doubt Tony could play the lead part right.

[Sewn Up]

Holy God Almighty! I would love to see the original line-up do a reunion. There's a lot of things you can turn your back to, but you can never deny that chance to the godfathers of metal!