Ozzy Osbourne has issued a response to a request by original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward for an apology over remarks about him not being physically fit enough to participate in the band’s 2013 album “13” and its accompanying world tour.
On Wednesday, Ward released a public statement outlining his personal need for Osbourne to amend and retract comments before he would consider any meetings about rejoining the group for their final album and tour.
“I never wanted to discuss this in a public forum but Bill's statements left me no option to but to respond honestly,” begins Osbourne’s reponse.
“Wow Bill, What the F are you on about? I cannot apologize for comments or opinions I may have made about you in the press during Sabbath’s ‘13’ album and tour -- physically, you knew you were f-ed. Tony, Geezer and myself didn’t think you could have done a two hour set with a drum solo every night, so we made the decision to move on. With Tony’s condition we felt that time was not on our side.”
The singer then challenged Ward over his ongoing remarks about a contractual disagreement the drummer says left him unwilling to participate in any reunion.
“Bill, stop this smokescreen about an ‘unsignable contract’ and let’s be honest,” adds Osbourne. “Deep down inside you knew you weren’t capable of doing the album and a 16 month tour. Unfortunately for you, our instincts were correct as you were in hospital several times during 2013.
"Your last hospitalization was for a shoulder surgery that you now say you’ve only just recovered from. This would have meant that our world tour would have been canceled.
“So how is all of this my fault? Stop playing the victim and be honest with yourself and our fans. Bill, we go back a long way, let’s stop this now before it gets out of hand. God bless you. Love. Ozzy.”
Ward first teamed up with Iommi in UK group Mythology in early 1968; when they disbanded, the pair teamed with Butler, Osbourne, slide guitarist Jimmy Phillips and saxophonist Alan Clarke to form the Polka Tuck Blues Band.
Eventually, the group became a four-piece under the name Earth before ultimately becoming Black Sabbath in August of 1969…and releasing their groundbreaking self-titled debut album just six months later in February of 1970.
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