After a lengthy farewell tour and a final studio album, heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath had officially closed the book back in February 2017. Wielding a legacy that spans over 5 decades and a sonic influence that’s graced every corner of metal music, it was only fitting the band were calling it quits and going out on what many perceived as their own terms. However, one key element of the band throughout their farewell stretch was missing — founding Drummer Bill Ward.
Not only was Ward a founding member of Black Sabbath, but his musical contributions to the band’s seminal records helped to define Black Sabbath’s sound and achieve their status as pioneers of the heavy metal genre. Simply put, Bill Ward is just as much a part of the band as Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Tony Iommi are.
All of this needs to be said, as it looks like Black Sabbath might be gearing up to perform a proper final reunion show with drummer Bill Ward. This all started back in May when Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Tony Iommi had expressed their openness and desire for a final one off reunion show with Ward. Osbourne in particular commented that he felt the band’s final show in 2017 was incomplete due Ward’s absence.
In an interview Osbourne was asked if he felt satisfied with Sabbath’s career to which he replied, “No. Because it wasn’t Black Sabbath that finished it. It’s unfinished. If they wanted to do one more gig with Bill, I would jump at the chance. Do you know what would be cool? If we went to a club or something unannounced and we just got up and did it. We started up in a club. I was sad that Bill wasn’t there. I mean Tommy Clufetos, my drummer, did a great job. But he ain’t Bill Ward.”
