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

H! Everyone,

The Christmas show is on Saturday, December 10, 2011, and as always at Christmas, we’ll play songs which I hope will hit home and serve you with some spiritual contentment. We know, we truly know from personal experience, how tough Christmas can be.

We’ll play our “jewel in the crown” in the middle of the show. Yes, it’ll be Type O Negative’s “Red Water (Christmas Mourning).” We’ll play Pavarotti, some new metal, some classic metal and Annie Lennox.

Stay strong. Stay safe.

–Bill

For those who have been asking, the next two Rock 50 dates have been announced. They are December 10th & January 7th, 2012. Please see the Rock 50 page for more information. Thanks!

H! Everyone,

On Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 11:00 AM Pacific, we’ll be playing our Armistice Show, as we do each year. I’ll try to bring you songs that will help to further heal; songs to meditate upon; and songs to cry over.

With the show, we honor the different branches of the US Armed Forces and her allies, past, present and future. For those who have died in war, we honor you all, friend or foe. For the countless wounded, and the casualties of war, we respect you; and for the helpless who suffered and died, we bow with deep regret.

Tune in if you can. I think it will be good show.
–Bill

H! Everyone.

Our radio show airs 11:00AM Pacific on Saturday, September 24. We’ll feature a special uninterrupted 10th Anniversary tribute for 9/11 in the second hour of the show. No Hardcore, guys – Pop masterpieces instead, leading off with “New York State of Mind.”

I’ll play about 30 minutes of Hardcore Metal in the first hour and 30 minutes of Classic Metal to take us up to noon. There won’t be a “Classic Rock and Metal Bands” segment this month. In October, we’ll be back with a Hardcore Metal show in time for Halloween.

Join us if you can.

Rock forever,
Bill Ward

H! Everyone,

Our radio show airs Saturday, August 20, 2011. New In Flames, new Sepultura and lots more hardcore metal. Our segment called “Great Hard Rock and Metal Bands and Artists” features a killer set from Korn.

Metal forever.

Stay strong. Stay safe.

–Bill Ward

H! Everyone,

The next hardcore show will happen on Saturday, July 16,2011 at 11.00 AM Pacific Time. It’s a “Best of” show which means we’re playing some of the best songs (my opinion) from July 2010 thru to July 2011.

There will not be a “Great Hard Rock and Metal Bands and Artists” segment for the July show. From top to bottom it’s all “Best of.”

OK, we’ll be playing Motorhead, Metallica, Triptykon, Ozzy, Slipknot, Exodus and a whole lot more.

If you like metal and hardcore, check out our show. It’s two hours long, and it ROCKS!

Stay strong. Stay safe.

–Bill Ward

H! Everyone,

The Rock 50 radio show will air on June 11th. If you like Arch Enemy, then check out the show. Their brand new CD is powerful. Titled “Khaos Legions,” it gave no quarter to my ears, as it penetrated my inner sanctum.

A new band Hellfighter has a CD titled “Damnation’s Wings,” and they make their first appearance on the Rock 50 show. A UK band definitely worth listening to.

Rage Against The Machine is featured in our Classic Rock and Metal Bands segment. We also have a thunderous amount of some of the best Metal bands on earth.

Stay strong. Stay safe.

–Bill Ward

The archive of songs that Bill played on the May 2011 edition of his Rock 50 show is now online. You can view the full playlist on the playlist page at the following link. There is also a song sampler widget you can view here, too. Check it out below.

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