Dear Sabbath Fans,

This is Bill. I just wanted to humbly thank you all. Your support from across the world has given me further strength and hope for a positive resolve. I have been moved and overwhelmed by the thousands of messages. I love you all.

Rock forever,
Bill

Los Angeles, CA – February 2, 2012

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

“Heaven and Hell,” “The Last in Line,” Stargazer.” Ronnie, your sound and musical creations will live forever. Peace now and forevermore.

–Bill Ward

H! Everyone.

I have been trying to come to terms with putting my thoughts and experiences of 2010 onto paper, and sadly, on the Eve of Christmas, I find myself exhausted from the sheer weight of life on life’s terms. To recall anything positive is arduous without bumping into the loss and lingering sadness I’ve felt over those who have died this year, and of most recently, my wife’s father, Richard. It’s difficult to smile when you’re not smiling inside.

However, melancholy aside, I have much to be grateful for. I’m alive, sober, and surrounded by loving people, children, animals and the critters that live outside the house. I feel blessed to still have a roof over my head and a fire in the hearth. I think a lot of you know already that for a while in 1983, I lost and ran away from most of which I just spoke of, asking for spare change to buy a drink and walking aimlessly through dismal streets. The pickings of my days were most ungratifying.

In 2010, I’ve tried to be very patient with my ongoing projects, which at times seem trapped by circumstances beyond human control. Frustrations erupt as we move slowly towards finishing points, only to be stopped again by another unforeseen event. I, along with my colleagues, have been painstaking in the workplace. We have actually accomplished much in PR, documentaries, book interviews and multimedia opportunities, etc., etc. Some of the biggest projects are still slightly out of reach. I’m OK knowing we came as far as we could before Christmas loomed and demanded attention.

This year, I’ve tried to do the “right thing,” and I hope I haven’t stood in the path of someone else’s life flow. I have continuously lowered my expectations of what I think I deserve or what I want. I’ve especially focused on what I think America, my wife, my friends, my kids or God ought to do for me. I’ve pretty much had to surrender each day to “reality,” whether I like it or not, and again, I keep the expectations surrendered. It’s hard work, especially when there are a lot of challenges heading straight for me. It works out eventually – it all works out.

Watching America, Britain, and many other countries get their ass kicked even more this year has been a heartbreak. So many are hurting – beautiful people – it’s all very sad. If “now” is a modern saviour, then I hope it’ll save the countless who are living up the road and round the corner ten years from now in order to maintain their “security.” It’s a tough lesson – “financial security” will let us down every time; from time to time, it’ll let us down, and if you’re in the memories of the good old days or when life was much better, then make an attempt to find “now” because surely you will perish in “yesterday.”

I have to remember to kiss someone who needs kissing today, hold someone who needs holding today, and if I eat, I’ll remember to say thank you and be grateful. I think compassion, hope today, surrender and forgiveness are a part of love, and love is a true, positive energy source, even for the most fragile amongst us. Love is a survivor; love pulls us through. We all have the components that create love; some like me have to dig a little deeper to allow love to flourish. I hope you will find love, and I hope it will serve you well and bring laughter and joy back to you. Hold love close to your heart because surely we will continue to face another reality-biting new year.

As always, I raise my glass of water, and I wish you all happiness and health and love in 2011.

Stay safe. Stay Strong.

–Bill Ward

Last month Bill made an appearance on the Classic Rock & Metal Podcast, talking about his 40 years since Paranoid‘s release, how he views life after his drink and drug problems, plus his solo projects and the possibility of a Sabbath reunion.

Head over to the CRMP website to listen to the show online.

A couple of weeks ago, Bill Ward’s episode of “That Metal Show” aired on VH1 Classic. If you missed it, you can view the entire episode online. We have a streaming version of the episode available for you to play right here:

Additionally, this Saturday night the 11th is the season finale of “That Metal Show”. The final episode of each series is called “Scrap Metal”. This is where they take clips and bits from the episodes that made up the most recent series that didn’t quite make the cut, and use them there. While we do not know precisely what content will be in “Scrap Metal”, it’s worth tuning in, as some unaired Bill Ward footage is likely to be shown. The initial showing is 11PM Eastern Time, and there are several re-runs over the next few days, so if you miss the first one, you can re-catch it.

As we’ve been telling you, Bill’s appearance on That Metal Show is on Saturday night at 11PM Eastern Time the 20th. The folks from VH1 Classic were kind enough to send over this video clip of Bill from the show. Check it out:

Bill has recently completed filming his appearance on the VH1 Classic show, “That Metal Show”, hosted by Eddie Trunk.

Bill’s episode will air on November 20th, 2010 at 11PM Eastern Time here in the US.

Also appearing on that episode will be Danzig, as well as Richie Kotzen. Bill will have a lot to say, and when we have a more specific content preview, we’ll bring it to you. But we wanted to alert you to the airdate of Bill’s episode as soon as we knew it!

Shockwaves Skull Sessions Episode #42:

On this episode Skullsessions returning guests Monte Conner (VP of A&R for Roadrunner Records) and legendary Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward, along with newcomer to the Skullsessions and thrash-metal drummer extraordinaire Gene Hoglan (Fear Factory/ Deathclock), join Skullsessions host Bob Nalbandian on this astounding and diverse conversation about modern-metal bands, the art of drumming and the use of dynamics, the metal music business of today, modern recording techniques vs. analog, the great John Bonham and much, much more!

Check out the podcast and listen to Bill at this link!

To celebrate the launch of Bill’s new Twitter feed and his new Facebook fan page, we’ve decided to give away some autographed copies of Bill’s 1997 album, “When the Bough Breaks”.  This is a pretty simple contest, all you have to do is either be following Bill on Twitter, or have “liked” his Facebook page.

We will pick five random folks from each service, and they will win the autographed CD.   We will contact you on those services for details afterwards.   Additionally, Bill will personalize the autographs to you, so it won’t be just him signing his name.

To make sure you’re eligible, sign up for these services and like/follow Bill.   If you want to double your chances, hook up with both of them!  Please note you can’t win on both services, so if for some reason you’d get randomly picked on both, you’d only win one.  🙂   The contest will run for one week, and will close next week June 18th.

Here are the details in case you need them:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/billwarddrums
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bill-Ward/109213359124333

Thanks for checking out Bill’s site, and good luck to all!