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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Seal says Heidi Klum reunion could be on the cards

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added: 25 Jan 2012 // by: newsdesk 

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Seal has hinted he may be able to work things out with estranged-wife Heidi Klum.

The couple announced their separation after almost seven-years of marriage earlier this week.

The British singer has continued with promotional duties for his new album Soul 2, including sitting down for an interview with Piers Morgan which will air later this week.

Asked if there is any chance he might reconcile with the German supermodel, Seal replied: 'You can never say never.

'I don't know at this point if I would like to get back together. If it were that easy, we would still be together, that is the reality.

'Whether we get back together or not, it may happen, I can't speak for her.'

The 48-year-old spoke about the issues he and Heidi have faced. They have claimed their split is amicable, but he explained they have had arguments.

'I can't speak for my wife and I'm not going to sit here and BS you and say we haven't had problems. Of course we have had problems, otherwise why have we split up?' he said.

'This is not a charade. We have problems, we have issues, but to our credit we have always been able to talk about them, to confront them. To assume that any couple goes without arguing is just nonsense.'

Seal is still wearing his wedding ring. He discussed why while on the Elle DeGeneres show this week, saying it's a symbol of all he had with Heidi.

The star is dismayed that some people have questioned whether that is the truth.

'There was some malicious thing about me still wearing my wedding ring for show but I'm still wearing my wedding ring because I am still married to this incredible woman and you don't all of a sudden from one day to the next, unless you are those type of people, say I hate you and take off your wedding ring,' he fumed.

He added one of the best things about his marriage was he and Heidi always managed to work on their issues. They argued, but always cleared things up and never let 'outside influences' affect them.

'I always used to say to my wife, the thing that I loved most about us is that we are a team, we are impenetrable in that respect,' he recalled.

Meanwhile, People magazine has alleged Seal and Heidi have been working on issues for some time.

'They were just really great at keeping it private and putting on that 'perfect couple' front that everyone expected,' a source told the publication.

'It's actually been about six months that they've been working through some issues.'

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