H! Everyone,

Our Christmas show airs live Saturday December 15, 2012 at 11:00 AM Pacific Time. Because Christmas is often a stressful and lonely time for a lot of people, we’ll be playing, as we usually do, some sobering songs based in today’s realities.

Type O Negative, Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, and a small section of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony show up in the first hour. In the second hour, we’ll be playing the greatest band that ever was, The Beatles. A one hour extravaganza of songs that helped to shape who we were and what was to come.

Upon the recent news of Ravi Shankar’s death, Rock 50 sends its humblest thanks to a timeless and relevant hero of popular Indian and Rock music. And another announcement…Rock 50 sends its thanks and admiration to the late, great Dave Brubeck. Our respectful condolences go to the family and friends.

Stay safe. Rock forever.

–Bill

You can listen to the show with links on our Rock 50 page here.

H! Everybody.

The Armistice/Veterans Day radio show is this Saturday, November 3, 2012. The show is dedicated to those who have died and suffered in all wars. We honor the memories of those who continue to grieve. First hour – great hard rock and metal songs. Second hour – pure masterpieces.

Stay strong.

–Bill

Bill’s Hardcore Halloween show on Rock 50 happens this Saturday, October 13th at 11:00AM Pacific… you will be scared.

You can listen on the Rock 50 page.

H! Everyone,

As we have done each year since the tragedy of 9/11 took place, our tribute show airs this month.    This year’s show is this Saturday, September 29, at 11:00AM Pacific Time.  We’ll play a best of Hardcore/Classic Rock in the first hour.  In the second hour, we’ll play a mix of songs from some of the greatest artists in the world.  We honour and regret the terrible loss of life created by 9/11.  Regards for hopeful thoughts, strength and health to those who live in the memory.

Stay strong.  Stay safe.

–Bill

H! Everyone,

If you like Metal and Hard Rock check out our show airing Saturday, August 18, 2012. Last month, I said I’d play another Blues segment in the second hour of the show, however, I’ve canceled that idea. Instead, I’ll play the entire Deep Purple CD titled “Machine Head,” featuring the great Jon Lord on keyboards/Hammond to honor his passing in July.

We will also be playing some solid, heavy – very heavy- Metal bands for you – i.e. Soilwork, Metallica and Lamb of God, as well as some Hard Rock/Jazz from Sabbath. We’ll have “Metal Gods” and Lemmy with Motorhead, as well as some brand new stuff. I guess at some point, probably next year, I’ll try to fit in another Blues segment.

Previews (dates to be announced):

Sept – 9/11 tribute to the fallen/ NY, NY
October – Halloween Show
November – Armistice Show
December – Christmas Show

Stay safe. Stay strong.

–Bill

My wife and I wish to respectfully send out condolences to the Lord family. News of the recent passing of Jon Lord has been met with sadness in our house. Reflecting upon his keyboard sounds, I must endorse how much he brought in originality and vision to the defining edge of Hard Rock. He is well-proven as a part of Rock’s historical journey and will not be forgotten.

Thank you, Jon Lord. Rest in peace.

–Bill Ward

H! Everyone,

H! Everyone,

Our summer Classic Metal/Classic Rock show airs June 16, 2012. Lots of great bands including Opeth, Machine Head, In Flames and Disfear. Black Sabbath have the entire second hour with classics like “Wicked World,” “Lord of This World” and “Hand of Doom” – lots of god stuff.

I hope you’ll like the show.

Stay strong. Stay safe.

Rock forever,
Bill

Dear Sabbath Fans and Musicians,

I have read Geezer’s statement of May 19, 2012 titled “Heavy Heart.”  Out of respect for the Birmingham gig, I wanted to wait 24 hours before releasing this statement.  There are some points he brought up which I want to respond to.

1)  I had indeed notified Ozzy, Tony and Geezer, well before my first public statement, that I was having contractual difficulties.

2)  I came out into a public forum to be accountable to the fans primarily, and to say at a public level there’s a problem.  The band members stopped talking and corresponding with me some time ago, with the exception of a nice letter from Tony on my birthday.  Prior to that, Geezer and I were corresponding, but that stopped abruptly in late February after I emailed a specific question to him.

3)  In my statement of May 15, I clearly stated I would play Birmingham for free.  That was not a problem – charity or otherwise.

4)  My Download fee was not an extravagant amount.  Originally, when Download was part of a full tour, I had asked for a decent fee.  More recently, as we were negotiating just Download/Birmingham and Lollapalooza, I told my attorney that I would accept the proposed small Download fee, but there were other parts of the offer that were unsatisfactory.

I will continue to be honest and respectful towards the band and our fans.  I will also confront any untruths about me, and any fault finding missions aimed at me that come to my attention.

I hope the band and the fans had a good gig in Brum.

Stay safe/stay strong.
Bill Ward

Dear Sabbath Fans and Fellow Musicians,

I sincerely regret to inform you that after a final effort to participate in the upcoming Sabbath shows a failure to agree has continued. At this time I have to inform you that I won’t be playing with Black Sabbath at the Birmingham gig dated May 19th, 2012, nor will I be playing at Download on June 10th, 2012. Further, I will not be playing at Lollapalooza on August 3, 2012.

It is with a very sad heart that I bring you this news. I am sincerely passionate in my desire to play with the band, and I’m very, very sorry that it’s fallen to this. This statement is even more painstaking to write, as I was particularly excited to play alongside Tony Iommi after the recent treatments he underwent. I wanted that to become a reality. (continue reading…)