Black Sabbath to play without Ward

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added: 6 Feb 2012 // by: VVN Music 

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It wouldn't be the full reunion of the original lineup but three-out-of-four isn't that bad. After Bill Ward announced that his participation in the Black Sabbath reunion was in jeopardy over an "unsignable" contract, the rest of the band responded by saying they would carry on without him.

Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi posted the following statement on Facebook:

We were saddened to hear yesterday via Facebook that Bill declined publicly to participate in our current Black Sabbath plans. 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...See you at Download!!!"

In his original statement, Ward did acknowledge the possibility that negotiations would end without his participation. "If I'm replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact."

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Black Sabbath reunion in jeopardy

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added: 3 Feb 2012 // by: Marco Gandolfi

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The 2012 Black Sabbath reunion tour has been thrown in jeopardy with founding member Bill Ward announcing he will not go ahead with the tour unless he is given a 'signable contract'.

In a lengthy statement posted on his website Ward says he is currently in a 'holding pattern' and says he is being given 'the cold shoulder (and not for the first time).

The original line-up of Black Sabbath announced a reunion tour and new album for 2012 at a press conference in Los Angeles on November 11 last year.

We understand that he is not with the rest of the group in Birmingham working on material while Tony Iommi receives cancer treatment and he is not being kept up-to-date on the work in progress.

At worst this could scupper reunion plans at best it would mean a partial reunion minus Ward. As yet the rest of the band have yet to comment on the on going situation.

All will be revealed before the first date on the reunion tour scheduled for May 18 in Moscow.

Bill Wards web posting is in full below:

Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,

At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a 'signable' contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band. Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another 'unsignable' contract was handed to me.

Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.

Since the news of Tony's illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I've spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I've tried to find out what's going on with the U.K. sessions, I've realized that I've been getting 'the cold shoulder' (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what'shappening unless I sign 'the unsignable contract.'

The place I'm in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

If I'm replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.

So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I'm good to go IF I get a 'signable' contract. I don't want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

My position is not greed-driven. I'm not holding out for a 'big piece' of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I'd like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I've brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.

That's the story so far.

Stay safe and stay strong.

I love every single one of you.

'Bill Ward

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Quick quips: Black Sabbath, Neil Young, Merle Haggard, Jim Reeves, Steven Tyler, Winston Riley

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added: 23 Jan 2012 // by: VVN Music 

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It seems that a cancer diagnosis is not keeping Tony Iommi from working on music for the Black Sabbath reunion. Bandmate Geezer Butler wrote on his website:

Today [January 19] we got the engines back up and running @ Tony's home studio. Far from being down and depressed about his lymphoma diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs, and I must say it has given us all a kick up the rump- it's great to hear him churning out those riffs again, assuaging the Demon C. Takes more than that to stop Tony. Can't wait for you all to hear our workings, it has been great working on this stuff.

Neil Young's LinkVolt LLC is being sued for $500,000 by Unigard Insurance over damages from a 2010 warehouse fire in San Carlos, CA. Unigard paid out to the owners of the building but allege that the fire was caused by Young's 1959 Lincoln Continental that he had converted to run on electricity and a bio-diesel powered generator.

Merle Haggard was released from the hospital on Friday after being treated for pneumonia. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
Haggard has postponed his remaining concert dates for January while he fully recovers.

A trial opens on Monday that will determine how the royalties for the late Jim Reeves' recordings will be split. Even though Reeves passed away almost fifty years ago, his work still generates $400,000 per year and Terry Davis, who married the singers widow, feels that he should receive part of them. Davis was married to Mary Reeves for thirty years until her death in 1999.
For the second year in a row, CMT will present a special edition of their long running Crossroads series during the festivities for the Super Bowl. Last year it was Faith Hill and the Pretenders and, this year, on February 4, it will be Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood.
The two previously performed together at last year's ACM Awards.

Jamaican reggae pioneer Winston Riley passed away on Thursday from gunshot wounds to the head he received in November. He was 65.
Riley had been the target of a number of unexplained attacks in 2011, including being shot in August and stabbed in September.

Riley was a founder of the Techniques while still a teenager and was still adapting and having hits into the 80's. He was also credited with introducing reggae to England.

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Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi diagnosed with cancer

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added: 10 Jan 2012 // by: VVN Music 

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Tony Iommi, guitarist with Black Sabbath from 1969 to 2006 and once again from 2011 to today, has been diagnosed with early stage lymphoma.

The following was posted on both Black Sabbath and Iommi's official sites:

With the news that Black Sabbath´s Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, his bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time. Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan--the 'IRON MAN' of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.

This comes as Black Sabbath--Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums)--are writing and recording their first album in 33 years in Los Angeles (still set for release this fall) with producer Rick Rubin. They will now go to the UK to continue to work with Tony. Further information will be released as it becomes available.

The group is scheduled to start their world tour on May 18 in Moscow and to headline the Download Festival on June 8 to 10 in Donnington Park, England.

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