Black Sabbath have been given the Lifetime Achievement prize at the 60th Ivor Novello Awards. pic.twitter.com/sBMPPag0Th
— Global's Newsroom (@globalsnewsroom) May 21, 2015Black Sabbath were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2015 Ivor Novello Awards in London on Thursday.
Now in its 60th year, the annual UK music industry event organized by the British Academy Of Songwriters And Authors honors the work of songwriters and composers.
The Birmingham Mail reports Ozzy Osbourne missed the event while drummer Bill Ward reunited with guitarist Tony Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler to accept the prize.
Asked about Osbourne’s whereabouts, Iommi replied, “I don’t know, I think he’s got a hospital appointment or something.”
The singer recently cancelled Ozzfiesta, a 5-day event originally scheduled for next week in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera, due to an undisclosed surgery this month.
Among the other artists honored at the Ivor Novello Awards were Ed Sheeran, Bob Geldof and Manic Street Preachers.
Backstage, Iommi confirmed Black Sabbath would launch their farewell world tour in 2016, something Osbourne recently revealed.
Ward said it was great to see Iommi and Butler again and admitted he felt “very uncomfortable” knowing they had been on tour without him.
“I hope that can change,” he added.
Ward’s appearance was a surprise given the recent exchange of lengthy public notes with Osbourne over a disagreement about the drummer’s fitness level for Black Sabbath’s world tour in support of their last album, “13.”
Ward requested a public apology from Osbourne over comments that the drummer was not physically able to handle the tour, which he passed on over contractual issues (as he did with the recording of the record) and was replaced by Ozzy’s touring drummer Tommy Clufetos.
See also:
Ozzy Osbourne: VH1 scrap plans to bring The Osbournes back to TV
Black Sabbath plan 2016 farewell tour
Black Sabbath: Bill Ward releases first solo album in 18 years
Black Sabbath feud heats up
Search Ozzy Osbourne at hennemusic
