Bill Ward on Black Sabbath and drumming on LSD | Metal Hammer

Black Sabbath founding member and former drummer Bill Ward reflects on the glory days of Sabbath and the dangers of drumming on LSD.
Taken from upcoming doom metal documentary The Doom Doc: / thedoomdoc .
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[@bm625]

I wonder if when Bill is just walking around somewhere and some teenager sees him, if the teen thinks he's just some ordinary person. Somebody's grandfather. Not really realizing that they're walking by a living legend.

[@grimreaper2773]

BM you can bet on it

[@grimreaper2773]

Hey buddy go fuck yourself

[@josephancion2190]

I think that you can say that of many persons. SOmetimes you may cross by a murder, or a rapist in the street, and not know it. How would you know ?

[@MrJohnnyDistortion]

Of course they wouldn't because Ozzy was mostly always focused upon and then Toni.

[@teamatfort444]

MrJohnnyDistortion I would!

[@tomitstube]

bill ward was a beast, he doesn't get enough credit for black sabbath's incredible success, he should be on the same pedestal as john bonham.

[@vinyldiary6664]

@Barbara Mulvaney Nah...Peart is proof of that and didn't die young.

[@playthatsoloboi3705]

@@vinyldiary6664 carmine appice too

[@vinyldiary6664]

@@playthatsoloboi3705 Danny Carey, Ian Paice....there are still some with this status.

[@camilo1455]

He is -- witness this and other videos, the comments people write, articles in the media...much-lauded, never forgotten

[@daveg4236]

Not sure where you've been but they are ALL recognized for what they did.

[@sydIRISH]

One of THE greatest drummers of all time. He never gets enough credit.

[@RavnerRavner]

This man could lay down some stone cold grooves. If you listen carefully to the drumming on the debut LP, this is a jazz drummer who found his way into a metal band.

[@shesellssin]

rav spot on! There's jazz all over the debut.

[@dillman6900]

i love the drums on the first album so complex

[@cocricklewood4441]

Geezer and him were both Jazz influenced players

[@AcmePotatoPackingPocatello]

I'm not into heavy metal. I was 17 when Black Sabbath came out, bought the first two albums. Then bought them again when I was 50, and 65. THIS man was beyond the pale on drums.....truly pushed the music into another sphere.

[@cocricklewood4441]

Sabbath Live In Paris! The drumming is on par and equal to any of the so called best!

[@dydy0928]

Too bad black sabbath is ended without you Bill

[@marcelopepinho]

Agree

[@felinefanII]

lol

[@iamtheblackwizard88]

True you need all the original elements to make it work.

[@profilen5181]

we should be happy he did as much as he did honestly

[@BuddyStromboliDrums]

I'm sorry but Dio era sabbath is basically Sabbath trying to be Judas Priest. Ozzy era basically laid the blueprint for Heavy Metal today

[@jeffward9174]

Not only a great drummer he's a living legend. He always seem modest and humble.

[@Flare4roach]

I totally respect Bill Ward for not only his talent but his honesty and integrity as a person.

[@edhallam]

i dint know if you followed bill after sabbath. he was down, hard. bummin money on cali street corners for whiskey change. life happened, and shot got better for him. life. he now writes childrens books, and advocates for women, children and vets. a true redemtion stpry. give this one a listen. as good as any sabbath. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZrRg6RrdpaNr80si=z2N6FYaZfZ-sPcuU

[@metalfan210]

Bill you are still Mr Badass to me and every rock drummer

[@davidthedustyhampton690]

Larry, Congratulations

[@bigstick5278]

rushfanbytor::: Reason i started playing drums was Ward, Bonham then Pert. Moon on the other hand, was this insane high energy octopus like guy with no real set style and a large drum kit. That's what made him unique IMO, never seemed to pull off the same run as the first.

[@imrekalman9044]

Not to just drummers. 👍

[@traviswoodall6547]

The guy, for unknown reasons, gets a fraction of the accolades he has earned. An absolute monster behind the kit, and by far the best drummer that band ever had, for that music especially.

[@jasminericenic]

Rat Salad is an underrated showcase of Bill’s insane drumming skills.

[@boneheded2819]

I'm so happy I saw this post. I know it's been 5 years since but this is so true. Rat Salad literally changed my life as a drummer when I was a kid.

[@1wired4sound]

This unassuming man was a big part of the band that changed rock forever. I think his contribution, along with Geezer, is under appreciated. His jazz influenced drumming was the bedrock of their sound

[@Monetshimmons]

One of the more underrated drummers in rock and metal history

[@sebastiannai4381]

Bill Ward was a funky drummer, too. Such a heavy groove this guy put down, just an incredible legend on his instrument.

[@Canedra]

This grandpa used to smash the kit back in 1970 War Pigs Paris live performance. What a beast of a drummer Bill was, pioneering in every aspect as the whole band did back then. Before any Portnoy & Mangini was Bill Ward and Neil Peart.

[@rayr4320]

1970-74 he was incredible. By 77 he was waning.

[@davidreaume5593]

You are so right heard my first black sabbath song when I was 14 off the first album bit of finger

[@RMoocher]

Ray Rancourt He still played well during the Black Sabbath live in 1978 video .

[@BSIII]

Ward was on fire in the War Pigs 1970 Paris show. Easily one of the greatest live performances.

[@SigHDucK5]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWTFZ4Z9pLNpmqM

[@puertecitos6888]

one of the great rock drummers. even though he was not included in all those Black Sabbath reunions, he knows he has proved his worth a long time ago and he doesn't need none of the guys from the band to keep his legacy alive.

[@yankee4424]

It’s a shame that he wasn’t the drummer on the final tour.

[@ericjennings6267]

when bands get old the first musician that drops out is the drummer because it is the most physically demanding of all the positions and he cant keep up

[@datadavis]

Its because sharon asbourne fukin exists

[@marks8432]

@@datadavis yeah dude yeah, it all goes back to that Eve ya know, right on lol

[@CraigMansfield]

Bill, in the 70s was an absolute beast on the drums. Absolute beast. Huge part of Sabbath.

[@AntonioGazzaneo91]

Black Sabbath was an exceptional band because each member was an artist at his craft, Bill Ward was no exception, phenomenal creativity and Groove, timeless music

[@gringochucha]

Yep, every single member had a unique sound and together they were way more than the sum of the parts.

[@Ori0987]

I know I’ve always said this! Black Sabbath is so special because in every song you can hear every member showing off their craft while still blending it all perfectly together. They all shone in their own ways. As much as I love Led Zeppelin, I don’t feel that way with them. It was pretty much Jimmy and Robert taking over with the exception of Bonzo, and yes they all perfectly blended together as well (of course) but to me they just didn’t have their own spotlights like the members of Sabbath did. I hope you guys know what I’m talking about lol

[@nickdecker2350]

And being a 3 piece you could also hear each of them well. Really don't get that much from early or really any rock music

[@keiththeissen15]

They weren't exceptional they were possibly the best

[@alanjamesh.zamorano1677]

The jazziest metal drummer, along side Gar Samuelson

[@chrisberg2083]

Thank you, and you're RIGHT.

[@gomebome]

I really wish we could see a world where Gar stayed clean. He could've gone so far :(

[@ericgilbert7194]

Great comment!

[@Peatman]

Sean Reinert anyone?

[@havarhanssen2713]

Peatman was just about to say it lol

[@danmutchler9731]

I worked very hard in a Sabbath tribute to play Bill's parts from the records, just dazzling, never really gotten the credit he deserves. Hats off to you, B Dub !!

[@sicknessmusik]

His work on Master of Reality affected my life on so many levels... That is probably the most badass thing ever came out from rock music, I mean the whole fucking album and his performance. This man is a true legend.

[@denychangy7386]

PaleBlueDot children of the grave is ridiculous

[@tripp8833]

It feels like we black Sabbath fans speak the same language or something... Why isn't everyone obsessed with this band??

[@garyunsworth726]

Master of Reality affected me too at the age of 10, my uncle bought me and my twin brother Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Master of Reality for our 10th birthday and those albums changed our lives completely which still carries on today, these albums are in my blood

[@garyunsworth726]

I'm 46 year old now

[@YouTube-tied]

tripp I think it takes a special person to appreciate, dig, love, and rock out to Sabbath. They have an un-earned rep as an evil and satanic band and when some people started getting into them, such as myself, in 1979 at age 14, that stigma was around them. Kind of difficult to sneak listening to them when you lived at home as a teen haha but they are THE BEST!

[@terryjames548]

Symptom of the Universe is a display of Bill’s ability no one could touch.

[@inbloom08]

So true!! Beast of a song.

[@kidwave1]

Drums are INCREDIBLE in that song!!

[@Johnny_Vox]

One of the greatest drum tracks recorded...

[@mobrules29]

Or that great rock/jazz groove he does in Supernaut.

[@2116sassafrass]

MelburnDownhill that whole album is untouchable

[@bobthebear1246]

I love Bill Ward; direct, to the point, and full of wonderful stories. Legendary drummer of a truly legendary band.

[@gringochucha]

Absolute legend. Bill was a huge part of the sound that made Sabbath famous and yet sadly he's the least known member of the band.

[@ClaytonBigsbee]

1 of the greatest Rock Drummers of all time, and most kids nowadays have no clue how Bad Ass this man is

[@markhagen7719]

Bill Ward is the reason I became a drummer. My drumming idol.

[@BigHead2615]

I could just sit and listen to this man talk all day! I don't think he'd see my comment here, but if he did, Bill, you are one of the greatest drummers and people I've ever heard! God bless you and rock on!

[@RandyFricke]

If you don't believe that Bill Ward is one of the best drummers ever just listen again to how he brings the band out of the middle part of Sweet Leaf. The guy is a wizard.

[@BST-lm4po]

Or the song 'The Wizard'. Great drumming!

[@teedee2689]

I love Bill's playing on Vol. 4. That is my favorite Sabbath album. I even love Never Say Die. It was new when I was a kid and I bonded with it. Bill kills it on that album.

[@danielk9067]

@@teedee2689 Totally agree. Side 1 of that album showcases his talent - not only the driving beat but the groove too, especially on Tomorrow’s Dream and at the end of Supernaut, he almost has a Latin feel in some ways, a really full sound with percussion. This to me is what makes Sabbath so much more than just heavy, which they no doubt are.

[@SigHDucK5]

Watch him killing those drums on the 1970 Paris live performance of War Pigs. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWTFZ4Z9pLNpmqM

[@teedee2689]

@@SigHDucK5 He is in top form here. Bravo!

[@SotR59]

I attended a small drum seminar with Bill Ward. WOW! Even being a Sabbath fan seeing him up close and personal was even more mind blowing. He just hung out and chatted for a couple of hours after.

[@Tull1996]

Bill seems like a great guy....they REALLY should have used him on the final tour. It's really a shame they didn't.

[@joelwilnierak3361]

Tull1996 I don't think they were able to because he wasn't physically fit/stable for touring

[@if6turnedouttobe9]

Tull1996: He couldn't remember the songs. That's the only reason they didn't.

[@RichusRkr]

ya, we heard stuff about money and bad contracts. but I think Tony and the rest would have treated him well, I believe they didn't think he could handle the rigors of touring. Tony didn't want the poor guy keeling over with a heart attack on his drums in the middle of War Pigs..

[@DizGuys]

I heard it was down to ozzy not trusting that he could do it. Bill always said he would be fine. Probably would've raised the required insurance, sharon wouldn't like that...skank of a woman

[@roberts.5136]

It's a shame When it comes to $$$ . Bill Ward was the one who originally fired Ozzy back in 79. Ozzy stuck it in Bill's face on The End tour. He got less pay then the others , is why Bill was a no show

[@michaelmendillo4614]

Man,,,, this guy was a real drummer ! A fucking ledgend ! Now,, just a humble older gentleman with memories only few can really understand,,,,, What a guy ! God Bless you Sir ! 😁🖒✌🕆💕

[@johnrichjr.415]

One of the greatest and , I feel, most underrated drummers of all time. Now that I'm older, the more I listen to Sabbath the more I can hear how incredible he was. And he seems to be an even greater person, God bless you Bill .

[@mikeflood4289]

John Rich he's definitely not known as underrated...

[@mikeflood4289]

Met him in 2005..such a great man warm and kind to me

[@benk3999]

Couldn' t agree more. Well said. Thank you Bill.

[@abidababida7096]

This man is forever a part of musical history as the grandfather of Heavy Metal Drumming

[@chrisnagy1429]

Bill Ward was such a key ingredient to Black Sabbath, a phenomenal drummer. One of my favorites for sure. Keep kicking ass Bill. Love ya.

[@Jw-un8oh]

The drumming on Lord of This World is amazing!

[@TheRiboka]

I remember always feeling tired and lazy and the whole "Yeah I don't feel like playing right now" mentality. This guy just makes me feel like a sorry ass snob, they could own a stage at any time of the day,week, month or year, not a single fuck given. These are REAL artists.

[@dougdavis8986]

Frank you are a sorry ass

[@fidelcashflow410]

You're giving him too much credit. If you stick enough coke into a cadaver's sinuses, even Abe Lincoln would leap out of his grave and tap dance like Fred Astaire.

[@micknordstrom2591]

Bill is THE DRUMMER... still the best drummer Sabbath ever had!

[@27solonsoho]

Bill’s body of work… from Sabbath to his solo projects will live on forever…

[@laripsspiral]

A legend!

[@thomasparkhurst5734]

Bill ward is only drummer on black sabbath that kick ass

[@ianhames2465]

Dear Bill, when I was 11 years old in '74, you was the first drummer that made my jaw drop to the floor. Now at 58, I still listen to Black Sabbath as loud as it goes on my chunky BIG sound system vinyl. You ROCK !!! God Bless You Bill Ward.

[@krauser6662]

This man was a beast behind the kit live...Truly a legend!

[@paulglezen1600]

Bill Ward delighted me in the way he provided "riffs for the drums" in a memorable way usually reserved for guitars. I remember in high school tapping out Snowblind on my desk with my fingers and a pencil. Into the Void was another favorite. I can't speak to technique or speed. I was not a drum enthusiast; and yet I remember many Black Sabbath songs as much for their drums as for vocals and guitars. I never could understand why Bill Ward wasn't omnipresent in rock's list of best drummers. Perhaps he didn't overwhelm experts with his technique or pedigree. But he sure was enjoyable to just listen to. Perhaps his greatness lies not so much in the size of his kit, speed, or outrageous solos; but in his originality and creative abilities.

[@clynnae810]

Bill Ward is such a badass, definitely one of my inspirations for drums

[@ReneeNme]

Bill had fought a long hard road ( personally ) all through his stint with Black Sabbath. I had an opportunity to meet him through personal friends one time back in the mid 80's, but he cancelled at the last moment because he wasn't feeling well. The main guy in our group, who happened to be totally blind and wasn't only a personal friend of Bill's and was our contact, he had also become a friend of Bill's parents who lived in St. Louis, MO.( they were all living there, but in separate residences ), received a phone call back from Bill saying that he felt bad that we wouldn't be able to visit with us, but that his parent's would be happy to have us as dinner guests. Sadly, my buddy who trusted me as his guide, started feeling ill as too much time on his feet would start making him feel unbalanced ( essentially sea sickness ), so we too, had to decline. Man, I sure wish that day would have come together.

[@LouisGedo]

Great interview! A drummer who never seemed to get enough credit for his amazing drumming talent

[@paulie1vivaaxl]

Good man Bill.Count me amongst those who refused to go and see Sharon’s boyband when they treated you like shit with the ridiculous salary contract. No Bill Ward=No Black Sabbath.

[@paulie1vivaaxl]

carmine redd I don’t think your example really has much relevance to the point I made. Bill was a founding member of a much bigger and more influential band than Dio. He was then offered more or less a session player’s salary for a huge financially rewarding tour where the other two toothless members accepted a far smaller share than Ozzy but they have the bulk of the songwriting royalties. Bill was treated disgracefully and at the very least should have been offered the same as the gutless duo but quite rightly refused the derisory offer Shatface offered while her long emasculated husband said nothing in support of the one member of the band who had been a friend. The other two have previous for lacking balls when they insisted Bill tell Ozzy he was out,and the guilt he felt played a big part in his descent into alcoholism not long after.

[@paulie1vivaaxl]

I don’t know if I’d go that far but if I was a woman,I’d love the chance to give her a kick right in the hole. I could probably list dozens of times when I felt that way. But I don’t want to murder her,nor do I see how I could if I wanted to.

[@paulie1vivaaxl]

What are you on about? Her dad was their manager and she became Ozzy’s manager AFTER he got fired from the band. And Bill left a year after Ozzy,came back for less than a year in ‘83 and apart from the odd occasion like Live Aid, and twice in the first half of the nineties for brief gigs never rejoined properly until the ‘97 reunion. So how did they all sign contracts over and over for 40 years? You’re talking utter nonsense.You don’t even have a minimal grasp of the band’s history. And the whole band famously called perhaps their best album (Vol IV) “the cocaine album” (there’s a clue in the song “Snowblind”) Sharon Osbourne never managed them in their recording prime so don’t try and make out I’m wrong whilst talking utter nonsense.

[@paulie1vivaaxl]

Fuck me that’s even funnier on second read. “If it wasn’t for Sharon Osbourne Black Sabbath would never have been a success” lol You know their real success stems from their first five albums? Try checking how old Sharon was when she was making sure it was only because of her they were a success.

[@paulie1vivaaxl]

Don’t talk shite. Your exact words were “if it wasn’t for Sharon Black Sabbath would never have been a success” How do you work that out? They had already peaked long before she got with Ozzy and had nothing to do with their success. You made a statement that was utter drivel and your attempt to backtrack is almost as ridiculous as your original claim. Brush up on your facts before you start going down the pathetic route of “reading comprehension” Or better still,explain how they would never have been a success without her? That would be fascinating.

[@jamesjohnson5333]

Bill you are and always will be my favorite drummer you have made your mark on rock music in a historic way. Respect and props, to you my friend thankyou for the years of enjoyment.

[@craigmatthews4289]

I now see why Bill Ward didn't join the rest of the band on their final tour. In his prime he was the most underrated drummer of all time. Playing drums is probably the most physically demanding job in most bands...especially when you're in a band like Black Sabbath. God bless Bill Ward

[@AudiophileTubes]

Bill Ward is a rock LEGEND!

[@stclairstclair]

Sabbath, The First band I was introduced when discovering heavy metal, 40 years later Ill still crank them up!

[@image30p]

I like the way Ward explains this. Experience and wisdom. And like he says you have to go through it. If a kid sees this he will be like, "Whatever man. I'm going to have fun and do it all." Then 40 years later he's sitting on a red velvet couch in black warmups.

[@rafasounds2010]

getting old. happens to most people

[@rokyericksonroks]

... and the thing is, it’s the very SAME RED VELVET COUCH!!

[@GraffitiPhysical]

One of the greatest of all time. Has his own style and brought a new dimension to the band, irreplaceable.

[@Grit489]

Bill Ward, Ian Paice, two great drummer's

[@crustafari]

BILL WARD RULES!!! One of the greatest drummers of all time, in any genre (plus how many can say they helped CREATE a genre!) Plus, he has always been a class act and a true gentleman, at least as far as I can tell.

[@blacksabbath8245]

love you Bill thanks for being my favourite drummer.

[@sauletto1]

That early "War Pigs" video was fricking crushing ! Bill's playing in that video is legendary. I was learning drums to add to my guitar and bass playing, War pigs with that video helped clarify what I was hearing. I am still amazed every time I watch it. Actually ... gonna watch it a few times right now. Bill is "The" Black Sabbath drummer...the rest are hired substitutes .

[@robbiegarnz7732]

You really have to admire Bill for his candor and ability to see his past mistakes. Anybody that can do that shows that they are continuing to grow as a person. We can all learn from Mr. Ward!

[@drumstick74]

Only love and respect for this man! Living rock legend.

[@xumbacampos1844]

To me, the ultimate definition of "cool" is this man playing in SYMPTOM OF THE UNIVERSE off "Sabotage". Honest to God! I emphasize the studio version, mind, because in some of the videos of live shows he's just kind of chugging along like none of the band give a rat's arse, which they probably sometimes were, considering what he just said! But that studio version...I discovered Black Sabbaff when they were already veterans in 1976, in Brazil where I was brought up despite being from Birmingham myself.

[@kingtrance6826]

Brazil by way of Birmingham Keep Rocking....🤟

[@ammongarrett4192]

Seeing sabbath spelled sabbaff makes me feel like deaff.

[@stephenwylie6299]

xumbacampos That song is epic

[@MrJoeythebabykangaro]

The drumming in Symptom is ferocious, I love it. The man is a beast.

[@wezacker6482]

"every head must bow, every tongue must confess, this is the greatest of all time" Cheers, Bill!

[@shanepersons383]

One of my all time favorite dudes and band!! BLACK SABBATH FOREVER!!!!!! And long live Billy Ward!! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@johnk-ht4yj]

Bill can be heard doing vocals on Technical Ecstacy "It's Alright". That was my first BS concert (1976 "Tech Ecstasy") tour. Guess i was just 17, but i remember the fantastic grooves Bill & Geezer were laying down for Tony & Ozzy. Bill Ward was essentially an orchestral style jazz drummer, whose tight timing & quick rolling tempos were the foundation of Heavy Metal pioneers =Black Sabbath

[@kevcatnip7589]

awesome ,,i am envious ,,,for your memories

[@ADAM_RECORDS_LIVE_OCTAVERN]

Bill and Geez are as tight as Titanium

[@kidwave1]

Jealous! I was 7, and didnt pick up on sabbath till i was 14 in 1983, ...but when I discovered them it was OVER! If you were a metal head in the 80's, ...it was Black Sabbath Judas Priest Iron Maiden! ...And then Metallica hit! ... and Megadeth right after that. As far as Im concerned, those are the 5 most important metal bands of all time.

[@baldbollocks]

I remember back in the early 70s me and my pal weasled our way back to the dressing room and I can confirm what Bill said. They were all soaking wet with sweat. We barged in and met our heros. Can you imagine when Bill said he recognized us from a previous London gig. We had close to front seats. Bill is a wonderful man and me and my pal were on cloud 9 for weeks !! God bless you Bill and get exercising!!!

[@hoppinonabronzeleg9477]

God bless you Billy Ward!!! - Your drumming has so much soul. Great to hear you talking, and I hope you're not feeling too much animosity.

[@jmdrummer7]

As a kid learning to play the drums back in the early 80's, I remember trying to play Sweet Leaf. It was heavy but also funky, at 13 yrs. old it was an epic fail. After some years of drum lessons I learned to play the song correctly and in the process found my deep appreciation for the "heavy" drummers of the 70's. Bill Ward, John Bonham, and Ian Paice had the largest impact on my playing and my desire to become a better drummer. The stuff that Bill Ward played on the early Sabbath material is classic, the most underrated drummer of that generation.

[@kikiu2619]

Bill is an architect on the drums. His parts are not just smashing. It is real creativity. He always reminds me of John Densmore of The Doors who also wrote creative parts.

[@MrAirblown2009]

He's so right. I use to do the same thing. Now that I'm 48 and still have my life and brains and more mature. I don't want to miss a thing by being under the influence of something else. Playing music live, is enough of an influence. Time for me now has become priceless.

[@catdieselpower193]

Hell yea!!! Long live Bill Ward!!

[@helterskelter1178]

Bill, you are my living hero. The reason why I picked up the sticks. Cheers 🥁

[@mr0scary]

I remember when i first heard War pigs. I was mesmerized on how good the drums were. Now i drum for 2 death metal bands who play gigs every second week. This man is god!

[@davidhogan1458]

I love how he put it as midly as he could,' we kicked complete ass' , Dudes slayed every stage.

[@el_wilder8860]

Under the influence or sober Bill Wards drumming had a major impact and influence on me as a drummer growing up. If it wasnt for Bill Ward and my Dad bringing home black Sabbath live in Paris 1970 on vhs I woulda never got the confidence to actually teach myself and learn how to play. I remember coming home from school and the vhs tape was on my counter and asked my old man whats this? And he replied "watch that... youll see what a real drummer is." Lmao from that day on I played drums to that performance and Black Sabbath paranoid album everyday religiously after school. Even switched my 1st drum kit at the times set up to 1 rack tom 2 floor toms like Bill used to use during that era b4 he switched to 2 bass drums. What did it for me was his simplicity in doing those triplet drum phils. Soo simple but so technical I immediately said to myself I can do that! Ive always been drawn to hard hitting drummers too. Bill and Dave Grohl and Mitch Mitchell my 3 fav drummers growing up... thank you! Hope young and up an coming drummers continue to discover Sabbath and Ward. 🤘🏾

[@Les537]

live in paris 1970 alone makes them legends

[@mrsmokeydog7830]

Listening to him speak about the past and that time. i guess you had to live it. I can't imagine how much those guys must have indulged . I did my share of all of it back in the day but I was only a spectator out in the audience watching them. Just a teen. Now an older man hearing it from my rock heroes it really hits home. Being happy and having clarity of thought and being able too remember things from long ago is the advantage to aging gracefully and leaving all that self indulgent nonsense in the past.

[@louisegormley7461]

One of the greatest British drummers ever, Supernaut is one of my all time favourite drum performances by Mr Ward. He, along with Tony, Geezer and Ozzy put the Heavy into Metal.

[@guy1900763]

Back in the seventies,Bill and Bonzo both from Birmingham.Bill says to Bonzo,come and see my brand new drum set.Bonzo says can i play it,Bill says OK.Bonzo then smashes it to pieces.True story.

[@datadavis]

Unclear if bonham actually hit harder than bill. Skins and cymbals are made to be smashed though!😆

[@luxuriousfir]

Wise words Bill. Thank you for all of your music:)

[@paulhickie9148]

Bill you kick ass \M/.

[@davidmcdonnell767]

One of the best and most inspirational drummers ever!

[@Ripley9425]

It's a real Miracle that he is still alive after All that drugs

[@markbirchette8740]

We miss you Bill ! You have one of the most unique signature trimmings I've heard. Instantly recognized instantly ! Cheers from across the pond in Utah ! \m/✌🍻

[@AL13NM]

No Bill Ward, No Black Sabbath. Simple as that.

[@murdockdrinkalot83]

AL13NM i'm really respect bill he's a living legend. but i'm really have to say no tony iommi no black sabbath

[@CHlEFFIN]

AL13NM No Terry “Geezer” Butler. Arguably the mastermind behind the band. No Black Sabbath. No Tony Iommi. The GODFATHER of all metal riffs to come through the ages. No Black Sabbath. No Ozzy Osbourne. The mythical prince of darkness and VOICE of the Black Sabbath. No Black Sabbath. Point being, all 4 original members where masters at their craft. This coalition of superb talent is what made Sabbath Sabbath.

[@dustinpomeroy8817]

They were Luke Zeppelin in the fact that without a single one of them they were nothing like the original,it took all of them

[@dustinpomeroy8817]

monokhem wait what?I love both bands,but simply put they played two different kinds of music

[@dustinpomeroy8817]

monokhem you just admitted you don't know shit about music,ones what I would call RocknRoll and the other is early day Heavy Metal

[@JayAldred]

This man deserves a fair financial reward for his pioneering work, such a shame he was robbed blind.

[@ertertwert1]

i like his drumming in "junior's eyes"

[@irvan36mm]

Loved his drumming on that whole album, Never Say Die.

[@davekp6773]

under rated, criminally under valued LP

[@chriscollier7469]

In juniors eyes I also loved the bass guitar

[@kingkillah101]

He speaks truthfully - most serious performing musicians know the music itself rejuvenates and also it's our job! Most performers put it on when it's time to go, no matter what. It's an 'act' !!! :)

[@KpexSmith]

Your a hell of of man Mr Ward. God bless you, Thank you..

[@harrimersalo8216]

He is one of the greatest drummers in music history. A true legend.

[@michaelledford4751]

It sickens me the other 3 chose to offer Bill far less than an equal 1/4 share of their final tour because they needed to carry a back up drummer incase bill wasn't able to play a show ,the cost would have been minimum and they could have went out as a united band for the end ,as rich as Ozzy is I can't help but feel Sharon Osborne was the Yoko Ono of sabbaths final tour .

[@tedsworld5957]

Michael Ledford he couldn’t remember a single beat! His body was also out of shape to play the drums.

[@kenglass7833]

I have to agree with you, back in the day the other three were blessed to have the man as both a percussionist and a friend !! Now after all that went down over the years I cant imagine how the boys wouldnt want Bill around for the last hurrah. I know he couldnt play every song but just to have him (depending how he felt) sit in each show on a few numbers a night would have been wonderful for the fans and I'm sure each other......Sharon I know you are one hell of a smart woman but there is more to it then money ?? Its ROCK AND ROLL !!!!!!

[@MarcusFenix50]

@@tedsworld5957 How the hell would you know that? Stop making excuses for greed, Bill wasn't there because the rest didn't want to pay him his fair share, simple as that!

[@UnitedElectric]

God bless him. But he can't play like that any more.

[@spaceghost8995]

@@MarcusFenix50 Ozzy has said that Bill just couldn't do it anymore. Don't get all emotional about it. Age catches up to people especially drummers.

[@samiam9059]

His playing of "Symptom of the Universe" was so unbelievable back then. So tough for him to play it was never played by him again... One outdoor huge show he was taking oxygen while playing. :)

[@HrhFish]

The last gig will be with Bill Ward. I think that's what Tony was getting at when he says we have retired from touring but we will do the odd gig.

[@starspangled2206]

Thank you Bill. You've inspired me to be the drummer I am today. I'm still learning from your recordings today and you are still an influence on me. R.ock. I.n P.eace

[@SuperSatana69]

A true rock and roll warrior.

[@TheRockerxx69]

Great guy. Absolutely great guy. They gave out their bodies and souls on stage. They did not joke about being professional.

[@macadoo2530]

Taking risks with your music is the benchmark of a great artist. Sometimes it comes off and sometimes it does not. If you do not take risks your performance risks becoming formulated and generic. Bill was successful in this area of risk taking. Just listen to prime era Sabbath live recordings. Always unique and interesting.

[@kariyam2202]

taking risks with music is one thing, taking risks on your life is another.

[@macadoo2530]

@@kariyam2202 Hes talking about playing a musical instrument under the influence of LSD-not driving a tractor trailer tripping balls

[@kariyam2202]

@@macadoo2530 the way i understood it and he didnt want to outright say it but perhaps the drugs ultimately affected him even when he was done with the music. "Theres a light at the end of the tunnel", basically saying theres a way to fulfill yourself whether with drugs or not. That's the way i'm interpreting it and might explain why he has stayed sober all these years, whatever the reason, they weren't right for him. I wish the absolute best for him and G-d bless him, seems like a good bloke.

[@benpotaka5893]

The fact all the members of Black Sabbath are still alive is a testament to the greatest Heavy group that ever existed 🤘🏼

[@italianstallion9148]

Bill's drum parts on Heaven & Hell (1980) were the finest drumming I've heard from Bill on any Sabbath record. Especially that one tune "Lady evil". He brought a different approach when drumming on that album. His style changed tremendously from his work in the 1970s. My favorite feature of his style on the album is his mid-open hi-hat. God bless Bill Ward.

[@paulscountry456]

That whole Album was great.

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

I thought that was Vinny?

[@italianstallion9148]

@@DrJ-hx7wv Vinny played on the tour i believe but Bill Ward did in fact play on the album

[@stephendouglas4343]

I am a recovering alcoholic myself. Bill Ward is a recovery hero. And the best drummer I have ever heard.

[@davifernandeslima01]

looking like one of the drunk romans in the asterix series... :D much love, father of real heavy drumming

[@tiluriso]

LOL! Perfect description!

[@thedrumsoloist]

He's the ultimate back bone, in my book. - My favorite drummer of all time. (and I'm obviously all about drums) - Bad Ass! "Symptom of the universe", Sweet Leaf", "The Wizard". - Holy shit! - This guy. You kick ass Bill Ward! All the best to you!

[@songoflovemetalofficial]

Wonderful drummer

[@AndyPutt1]

Love you Bill and your drumming and musicianship!!!!! Loved you all my life!!!!!