Bill Ward calls Black Sabbath "13" a pile of sh*t

[That 70s Guy]

ultimateclassicrock.com



Black Sabbath‘s 13 was an undeniable commercial success, but exiled drummer Bill Ward still can’t bring himself to listen to the whole thing.

During a recent visit to the Eddie Trunk Podcast, Ward shared his thoughts about the band carrying on without him after the acrimonious split that occurred after they’d already announced a reunion of the original lineup for the 13 sessions and tour. Unsurprisingly, as far as he’s concerned, “I didn’t think it was successful at all.”

Having said that, Ward admitted that from an attendance standpoint, the tour was certainly a success, but in the interest of emotional self-preservation, he’d forced himself not to pay close attention to anything Sabbath did after he refused to agree to what he’s consistently maintained was an “unsignable contract.”

“I had to stop loving them, because if you’re loving a dog as it’s biting you and ripping your insides out, it’s hard to love a dog that’s doing that. So I actually stopped loving them, and I had to learn what we call detachment,” he explained. “So whatever they were doing, I could care less. I wasn’t interested in the f—ing album 13. I’ve heard 20 bars of it — that’s all I’ve heard — and then I turned it off and said, ‘That’s a pile of s—,’ and that’s the truth. And I couldn’t care less what they were doing on tour.” You can listen to the interview below.

There seems to be particular animosity between Ward and singer Ozzy Osbourne, which has led some to assume that the real driver of the conflict is Osbourne’s wife and manager, Sharon — and although Ward maintained in his conversation with Trunk that she “definitely dislikes me, and she has for a long, long time,” he refused to pin the blame on her.

“She’s right there, right in the center of everything — as are the other lawyers as well, the other representatives. But, you know, the statements were made by Ozzy,” he pointed out. “It’s broken up the friendship that we had; there’s no doubt about it. I mean, it f—ing killed the friendship. I detached from him. And I’ve already stated what will renew our friendship. I think the day that he amends those statements, that will be one hell of a day. I think that’ll probably happen in the next life or further down the road — I don’t think it’s gonna happen in this life.”


Read More: Bill Ward After Listening to a Few Seconds of Black Sabbath's '13' Album: 'That's a Pile of S---' | Bill Ward After Listening to a Few Seconds of Black Sabbath's '13' Album: 'That's a Pile of S---'

 

[Sharp Dressed Man]

I’ve heard 20 bars of it — that’s all I’ve heard — and then I turned it off and said, ‘That’s a pile of s—,’ and that’s the truth.

So much for credibility. Bill is a bitter man and although he has his reasons, which I understand, he's making a fool of himself in the press as of late. He should take the high road.

 

[AboutAGirl]

I don't get why they would kick him out, anyway. I guess I'm not up on the gossip.

 

[Johnny-Too-Good]

I don't get why they would kick him out, anyway. I guess I'm not up on the gossip.

The reason given by the band was that Bill was not up to it physically, though it was also being said that he wanted too much money (or he wasn't being offered enough?). It has to be said Tony and Geezer have kept quiet through all this and it has turned into a slanging match between Ozzy and Bill (with Bill also pointing the finger at Sharon). I wouldn't be at all surprised if Ozzy's missus is involved in this. Throughout his solo career there have been a string of dissatisfied musicians claiming they have not had what is due to them. Ozzy is no 'mover and shaker', but his wife certainly is.

 

[AboutAGirl]

Reminds me of Yes when Jon Anderson was sick and they used that as an opportunity to replace him. And now that band doesn't have any of the original members in it at all!

I think the sad fact of it is that these days the band name is the only selling point and so they'll replace anybody they can if it means making more money for themselves. People are going to notice if Ozzy's not in Sabbath but do they really want to pay to have the original drummer, when 99% of the audience probably doesn't care who's playing the drums anyway?

 

[Riff Raff]

So much for credibility. Bill is a bitter man and although he has his reasons, which I understand, he's making a fool of himself in the press as of late. He should take the high road.

Agreed this bitterness does nothing for his own cause.