After the announcement that the guitarist of Black Sabbath Tony Iommi is suffering from cancer, another obstacle appeared on the course of the band reunion. Fortunately, not a health issue but one of cooperation. Drummer Bill Ward with an open letter a few days ago said that he can not continue with Sabbath if they did not show him a "contract that I can sign, that will reflect the dignity and respect that I deserve as a founding member" as he said.
Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler posted on Facebook that: "We were sorry when we heard via Facebook Bill's refusal to participate in the current plans of Black Sabbath. We have no choice but to continue recording without him, but our door is always open..."
It is not the first time Ward is in public dispute with the management team of Sabbath. In 2004, it was announced that Mike Bordin of Faith No More will replace Ward on Ozzfest tour. Eventually, both sides reconciled before the tour and Ward participated in it. Ward said in a recent letter that "after the last tour I vowed not to sign again an unreasonable contract". In 2006 Ward also left the reunification of Iommi, Butler, Dio and Appice as Heaven and Hell for unknown reasons.
Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler posted on Facebook that: "We were sorry when we heard via Facebook Bill's refusal to participate in the current plans of Black Sabbath. We have no choice but to continue recording without him, but our door is always open..."
It is not the first time Ward is in public dispute with the management team of Sabbath. In 2004, it was announced that Mike Bordin of Faith No More will replace Ward on Ozzfest tour. Eventually, both sides reconciled before the tour and Ward participated in it. Ward said in a recent letter that "after the last tour I vowed not to sign again an unreasonable contract". In 2006 Ward also left the reunification of Iommi, Butler, Dio and Appice as Heaven and Hell for unknown reasons.