Rumour: Black Sabbath Replace Bill Ward?

According to BraveWords.com sources, strong rumours suggest that Black Sabbath have replaced original drummer Bill Ward with Tommy Clufetos from the Ozzy Osbourne band. These rumours have not been confirmed by the band or management. However fans are rallying around Ward and have launched a new Facebook page dubbed 1,000,000 Black Sabbath Fans Say Yes To Bill Ward.

Black Sabbath recently moved writing sessions for their long-awaited reunion album from Los Angeles to Birmingham, England due to guitarist Tony Iommi's treatment for lymphoma. Drummer Bill Ward is currently in a public battle with his old mates unless a "signable contract is drawn up" he stated recently and has refused to join the rest of the band.

The remaining trio (Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler) responded by saying that "we have no choice but to continue recording without him although our door is always open. We are still in the UK with Tony. Writing and recording the new album and on a roll."

Black Sabbath’s confirmed European tour dates are below:

05/18 - Moscow, Russia - Olimpiski
05/20 - St. Petersburg, Russia - New Arena
05/23 - Helsinki, Finland - Hartwall Arena
05/25 - Stockholm, Sweden - Stadium
05/29 - Bergen, Norway - Bergen Calling Festival
05/31 - Oslo, Norway - Spektrum
06/02 - Malmo, Sweden - Malmo Stadium
06/04 - Dortmund, Germany - Westfalenhalle
06/10 - Donington, UK - Download Festival
06/12 - Rotterdam, Holland - Ahoy
06/15 - Bilbao, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival
06/17 - Nantes, France - Hellfest
06/19 - Paris, France - Bercy
06/22 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
06/24 - Milan, Italy - Gods of Metal

Thanks for the report to BraveWords.com.

Comments

[N-D]

Despite recent statement that Black Sabbath have decided to continue without drummer and drums, band have changed their decision and will replace Bill Ward with drum machine.

[Salvo416]

^ I wish people would stop with the drum machine comments. They may have drum tracks written down already. The only thing would be is that Bill wouldn't be drumming them. But if I'm wrong we can just see what happens.

Whatever, I'm just glad they found another drummer, I hope hes just as good.

[BigSpence]

I came home from work on the oil rig yesterday. I was so filthy, so I filled my tub with warm water. I relaxed in it for a while and then realized I was sitting in a BLACK sabBATH

[C0FF1NCAS3]

Drummer says he won't play/sign contract, band says they will continue and have booked a very public gig, logical assumption is that they would find another drummer.
Why is that news?

[cfhdomination]

According to Blabbermouth the replacement is Tommy Clufetos. Go figure, they'd get Ozzy's drummer to replace the legendary Bill Ward. This sucks. I was really looking forward to this reunion. Another big rumor is that $haron "fired" Bill Ward which wouldn't surprise me at all. Bill's son has a big posting on his facebook page about how Bill was fired. What disappoints me the most is that Iommi and Geezer let all this bullshit happen.

[bulusvanua]

cfhdomination wrote:

According to Blabbermouth the replacement is Tommy Clufetos. Go figure, they'd get Ozzy's drummer to replace the legendary Bill Ward. This sucks. I was really looking forward to this reunion. Another big rumor is that $haron "fired" Bill Ward which wouldn't surprise me at all. Bill's son has a big posting on his facebook page about how Bill was fired. What disappoints me the most is that Iommi and Geezer let all this bullshit happen.

Personally I don't think Geez has had any more say than Bill, I think he has just been more willing to take what he has been given, just speculation of course.

Incredibly sad that the band can't just split everything four ways like they did back in the day, If only this reunion was done because four guys just wanted to play music together again, rather than all this financial bullshit.

[DickHardwood]

No Ward=no reunion.

[Rob E]

This really sucks for all the people who bought tickets to these shows purely because it's the original 4 and probably the last time we would ever get to see them together...

One of those people it sucks for is me -.-

[cfhdomination]

bulusvanua wrote:

cfhdomination wrote:

According to Blabbermouth the replacement is Tommy Clufetos. Go figure, they'd get Ozzy's drummer to replace the legendary Bill Ward. This sucks. I was really looking forward to this reunion. Another big rumor is that $haron "fired" Bill Ward which wouldn't surprise me at all. Bill's son has a big posting on his facebook page about how Bill was fired. What disappoints me the most is that Iommi and Geezer let all this bullshit happen.


Personally I don't think Geez has had any more say than Bill, I think he has just been more willing to take what he has been given, just speculation of course.

Incredibly sad that the band can't just split everything four ways like they did back in the day, If only this reunion was done because four guys just wanted to play music together again, rather than all this financial bullshit.

Seems like anytime the Osbournes are involved, it turns into a shitstorm of financial issues. I knew I shouldn't have had such high hopes for this reunion. Especially after the whole lawsuit between Iommi and the Osbournes, regarding the Black Sabbath name. Maybe Sharon saw an opportunity in the reunion to screw over not only Iommi, but also the rest of the band, and collect a huge paycheck.

May not be true, but that's my theory. They should respect Bill enough to at least play on the album and give him the royalties he deserves.

[iommi600]

Honestly, this reunion is really being a let down to me. I was once excited about this, but then started all this judicial bullcrap.

[cfhdomination]

I'll just listen to the Reunion album and pretend I'm actually there lol

[Jesus_Dean]

Since the death of Ronnie James Dio, Sharon Osbourne knows that there can be no relevant Sabbath reunion w/o Ozzy. The remaining members know that as well, and regardless of how bitter that may be, they have to conform to Sharon's demands. Unfortunately, Sharon Osbourne is not known for her generous dealings with band-mates.
That's pure speculation on my part, but it has the ring of truth to it. Bill Ward may be the only person with balls enough to say "No".

[District]

Oh please... no Ozzy drummer. At least approach Vinnie Appice first. He's been in Sabbath more than that Clufetos guy.

[flaphead325]

https://www.facebook.com/pages/100000-Black-Sabbath-fans-say -yes-to-Bill-Ward/387229524625706?sk=wall

The link of the facebook page

[xplosive59]

Why not Vinnie Appice, he seems much more of a fitting replacment?

[Metalfan20]

xplosive59 wrote:

Why not Vinnie Appice, he seems much more of a fitting replacment?

Yeah Vinnie Appice was the first person to come to mind when they were talking replacements. Though I know he's currently got Kill Devil Hill to worry about. I'd still gladly support a Sabbath Tour because it'd probably be the last the closest thing to actually seeing Sabbath live for the rest of my life time.Things could change going to the North American leg of the tour.

[Morgothik]

Can't do Vinny because it would be Heavan and Hell with a different singer.

[Maiden95]

Simply put...Fuck Sharon Osbourne.
I knew from the start she was behind all of this and now it appears to be true. I for one will not go to this "Reunion" tour and spend money on that no good ****. Way to ruin the hopes and dreams of millions once again biotch.

[xHellbound]

N-D wrote:

Despite recent statement that Black Sabbath have decided to continue without drummer and drums, band have changed their decision and will replace Bill Ward with drum machine.

It's not the first time it's happened. Selling My Soul was recorded with a drum machine, and Bill Ward was not credited.

[Eifler121]

Isn't ward usually the one credited with the primary writing of the original albums? I mean, the stuff after he left isn't so good, Tony Iommi's solo stuff isn't that great, and I don't care for Ozzy's solo stuff all that much, so it would make sense. If it's true, there might as well not be a reunion album.

[DaniArrow]

I don't even care anymore really. It's just another Album by a half-assed version of the band. The real deal is Iommi, Butler, Osbourne, Ward - no others. It started out as the biggest reunion (including an album!) in metal, now it's a joke.

[Meta1H3ad]

Maiden95 wrote:

Simply put...Fuck Sharon Osbourne.
I knew from the start she was behind all of this and now it appears to be true. I for one will not go to this "Reunion" tour and spend money on that no good ****. Way to ruin the hopes and dreams of millions once again biotch.

So...if you won't be a part of it, millions of others will. Sabbath still lives with or without ward. Am I saying that it wasn't sad to see Ward leave? of course not, but Sabbath with another drummer is still sabbath, better than no sabbath at all and all these shitty ass emocore bands emerge even more, amirite? And I also get the clue that it's cool to hate Sharon Osbourne now too...she may not even be one part of this contract that they speak of. Next thing is, everyone had to sign this contract, I guarantee you Tony Iommi, Geezer, and Ozzy had to sign the same damn thing, it's just that Bill Ward doesn't want to sign a ****ing contract just because he's Bill Ward, and Bill Ward won't get his way...he duped his fans, but i'm glad at least most of them are going to create more Sabbath! I fully support this and wish Bill Ward would man up and join back in!