Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler has issued an apology to estranged drummer Bill Ward over comments regarding his absence from the group’s farewell tour.
Butler tweeted: “It appears Bill Ward was never invited to do a last show - my mistake. Sorry @billwarddrums”
In a recent interview, the bassist claimed Ward had been invited to perform at the band’s final US show in Phoenix, AZ on September 16 – which prompted a quick rebuttal from the drummer.
“I must respond once again to inaccurate statements made by Geezer,” wrote Ward on Facebook. “I never received an offer to play the final show of The End tour with Black Sabbath. When the tour was confirmed, my management reached out to the Black Sabbath management to inquire as to whether or not they would like to discuss my participation in the tour. We were told there was no interest. That is last conversation we had with them regarding the tour.
“I will say that I wouldn’t want to play only one gig when I am completely capable of touring. I would not validate their untrue statements about my health by playing only one gig. Also, I wouldn’t want to show up for only some of our fans and not for all our fans when I could have played multiple shows.”
The recent exchanges resume a years-old feud between the members over Ward’s status for the group’s 2013 album, “13”, and companion tour.
Ward – who participated in the initial rehearsals for the “13” album and tour – has always maintained that he sat out a reunion over contractual issues while the band says the drummer was not physically fit to tour.
Black Sabbath launched its farewell tour in Omaha, Nebraska on January 20.
It appears Bill Ward was never invited to do a last show - my mistake. Sorry @billwarddrums— Geezer Butler (@GZRMusic) January 27, 2016See also:
Black Sabbath reunion feud continues
Black Sabbath tops the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: Black Sabbath launch farewell tour
Black Sabbath feud reignites over failed reunion attempt
Search Black Sabbath at hennemusic
