Black Sabbath
- Thread starter Raven
- Start date
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Things are looking better!
Dear Sabbath Fans,
I wanted to let you know where things are at, from my point of view, as of today, February 17, 2012.
As my statement of February 2, 2012 indicated, I have not declined to participate in the Sabbath album and tour. At the earliest opportunity, I am prepared to go to the U.K. and record, and later tour with the band.
Last week, we sent further communication to the attorney handling the negotiations to try to reach an agreement. At this time we are waiting to hear back. I remain hopeful for a “signable” contract and a positive outcome.
I want to thank everyone who has voiced and posted their opinions, thoughts, support and love through all media, including the newly constructed sites. I applaud your worldwide reaction in support of the original band. And speaking for myself, your intent and truth will always be respected.
While believing in your freedom for expression, keep in mind that Tony, Ozzy and Geezer are still my lifetime friends, and I cannot support comments with an objectifying or derogatory theme toward them or their various representatives.
Many thanks to all of you. You are truly phenomenal.
Stay safe, stay strong.
–Bill Ward
Dear Sabbath Fans,
I wanted to let you know where things are at, from my point of view, as of today, February 17, 2012.
As my statement of February 2, 2012 indicated, I have not declined to participate in the Sabbath album and tour. At the earliest opportunity, I am prepared to go to the U.K. and record, and later tour with the band.
Last week, we sent further communication to the attorney handling the negotiations to try to reach an agreement. At this time we are waiting to hear back. I remain hopeful for a “signable” contract and a positive outcome.
I want to thank everyone who has voiced and posted their opinions, thoughts, support and love through all media, including the newly constructed sites. I applaud your worldwide reaction in support of the original band. And speaking for myself, your intent and truth will always be respected.
While believing in your freedom for expression, keep in mind that Tony, Ozzy and Geezer are still my lifetime friends, and I cannot support comments with an objectifying or derogatory theme toward them or their various representatives.
Many thanks to all of you. You are truly phenomenal.
Stay safe, stay strong.
–Bill Ward
I don't give a shit about Ozzy and friends, I want my money back. I wish this "reunion" never happened.
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
So. No Black Sabbath tour. And it looks like my date (Rotterdam) is not in the Ozzy tour schedule.
From Black-Sabbath.com (great site by a fan):
Black Sabbath 2012 Update
February 17, 2012 By Joe
Well, today’s been an interesting day. Earlier this morning, we got another statement from Bill Ward about his drumming situation with Black Sabbath. Which appeared to be good news, that they’re still talking.
Then a few hours after that, we got a rather large and somewhat ominous update from Black Sabbath regarding the European touring dates. They’ve effectively been canceled, save for one – the Download Festival. I will include the full press release from Black Sabbath below, but here’s my thoughts on the matter. I believe we’re dealing with two separate issues here.
Ozzy & Friends
However, to fulfill the live concert dates, and probably not piss off a ton of promoters over cancelling a ton of dates twice (remember they did the same thing in 2010 when Ronnie got really ill), the remaining European Festival dates will be billed as “Ozzy & Friends”. The lineup for those dates is now:
Musings on Black Sabbath
If you read the various releases properly, and don’t just glom on the headlines, I think you’ll agree with me that I don’t think any of this affects “Black Sabbath”, save for the fact that a handful of festival dates that are no longer billed as Black Sabbath. There have been several statements saying that Tony is doing well, but due to ongoing issues they’ve had to change these live dates. There’s also the fracas with Bill Ward.
What I think is going on here (and I stress this is an opinion, nobody has told me this) is that Tony’s doing OK, but the treatments are getting to him a little, preventing him from going out and doing these Festival tours. During that time they’ll continue to work on studio material, and when Tony gets better, they’ll do live dates after the album comes out. What I do believe though is that these date cancellations have nothing to do with the Bill Ward situation – I think this is a total byproduct of the realities of Tony’s cancer treatments, and that the previously announced album is probably unaffected by all this. We’ll see.
In the meantime, I pray that Tony gets well, as cancer bloody well sucks. Took Ronnie from us, and I’ve had another family member go from that, and another that had the exact same thing Tony does; she’s been cancer free for a decade, so it can be dealt with. Hopefully this is what happens here.
Let’s keep good, positive thoughts and prayers directed towards Tony during all of this.
Official Press Release
BLACK SABBATH TOUR UPDATE: BAND’S SOLE EUROPEAN PERFORMANCE THIS SUMMER SET FOR U.K.’S DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL
OZZY & FRIENDS TO PERFORM MAJORITY OF OTHER SCHEDULED SHOWS
BLACK SABBATH –who late last year confirmed the recording of their first new album in more than 33 years and a worldwide headlining tour–have had to put some plans on hold due to Tony Iommi’s battle with lymphoma. At this time, BLACK SABBATH will perform only one show of this summer’s previously scheduled European tour. It will take place Sunday, June 10 at the U.K.’s Download Festival.
So as not to let the promoters and fans down, OZZY OSBOURNE will now perform the majority of the previously scheduled BLACK SABBATH dates (both festival performances and the headlining shows) billed as OZZY & FRIENDS. These “first ever” OZZY & FRIENDS shows will feature appearances by “special guest” musicians including GEEZER BUTLER (who will join Ozzy for a special BLACK SABBATH set as a show of respect and support to their friend, Tony Iommi) and longtime former OZZY band member Zakk Wylde. In addition, OZZY will be accompanied by longtime collaborator and friend Slash at select shows, with other “special guests” set to join the tour at various stops along the way (full list of dates, appearances below).
Tony Iommi continues to make excellent progress and is looking forward to getting back out on the road. Meanwhile, BLACK SABBATH continue to write and record music in the U.K. for their upcoming album. More information about these dates and BLACK SABBATH’s recording and touring plans is forthcoming.
The 2012 tour dates are as follows:
BLACK SABBATH
DATE CITY VENUE
Sun 6/10 Donnington UK Download Festival
OZZY AND FRIENDS
DATE CITY VENUE
Wed 5/23 Helsinki, Finland Hartwall Arena
Fri 5/25 Stockholm, Sweden Stadium
Sun 5/27 Jelling, Denmark Jelling Festival
Tue 5/29 Bergen, Norway Bergen Calling Festival
Thu 5/31 Oslo, Norway Spektrum
Sat 6/2 Malmo, Sweden Malmo Stadium
Mon 6/4 Dortmund, Germany Westfalenhalle
Wed 6/6 Prague, Czech Rep O2 Arena
Fri 6/15 Vitoria, Spain Azkena Rock Festival
Sun 6/17 Clisson, France Hellfest
Fri 6/22 Dessel, Belgium Graspop Metal Meeting
Sun 6/24 Milan, Italy Gods of Metal Festival
Tue 6/26 Vienna, Austria Stadthalle
Thu 6/28 Belgrade, Serbia USCE Park
Sun 7/1 Athens, Greece Rockwave Festival – Terra
From Black-Sabbath.com (great site by a fan):
Black Sabbath 2012 Update
February 17, 2012 By Joe
Well, today’s been an interesting day. Earlier this morning, we got another statement from Bill Ward about his drumming situation with Black Sabbath. Which appeared to be good news, that they’re still talking.
Then a few hours after that, we got a rather large and somewhat ominous update from Black Sabbath regarding the European touring dates. They’ve effectively been canceled, save for one – the Download Festival. I will include the full press release from Black Sabbath below, but here’s my thoughts on the matter. I believe we’re dealing with two separate issues here.
- Bill Ward’s contract situation
- Tony Iommi’s health
Ozzy & Friends
However, to fulfill the live concert dates, and probably not piss off a ton of promoters over cancelling a ton of dates twice (remember they did the same thing in 2010 when Ronnie got really ill), the remaining European Festival dates will be billed as “Ozzy & Friends”. The lineup for those dates is now:
- Ozzy Osbourne – Vocals
- Zakk Wylde – Guitar (No Gus G?)
- Geezer Butler – Bass
Musings on Black Sabbath
If you read the various releases properly, and don’t just glom on the headlines, I think you’ll agree with me that I don’t think any of this affects “Black Sabbath”, save for the fact that a handful of festival dates that are no longer billed as Black Sabbath. There have been several statements saying that Tony is doing well, but due to ongoing issues they’ve had to change these live dates. There’s also the fracas with Bill Ward.
What I think is going on here (and I stress this is an opinion, nobody has told me this) is that Tony’s doing OK, but the treatments are getting to him a little, preventing him from going out and doing these Festival tours. During that time they’ll continue to work on studio material, and when Tony gets better, they’ll do live dates after the album comes out. What I do believe though is that these date cancellations have nothing to do with the Bill Ward situation – I think this is a total byproduct of the realities of Tony’s cancer treatments, and that the previously announced album is probably unaffected by all this. We’ll see.
In the meantime, I pray that Tony gets well, as cancer bloody well sucks. Took Ronnie from us, and I’ve had another family member go from that, and another that had the exact same thing Tony does; she’s been cancer free for a decade, so it can be dealt with. Hopefully this is what happens here.
Let’s keep good, positive thoughts and prayers directed towards Tony during all of this.
Official Press Release
BLACK SABBATH TOUR UPDATE: BAND’S SOLE EUROPEAN PERFORMANCE THIS SUMMER SET FOR U.K.’S DOWNLOAD FESTIVAL
OZZY & FRIENDS TO PERFORM MAJORITY OF OTHER SCHEDULED SHOWS
BLACK SABBATH –who late last year confirmed the recording of their first new album in more than 33 years and a worldwide headlining tour–have had to put some plans on hold due to Tony Iommi’s battle with lymphoma. At this time, BLACK SABBATH will perform only one show of this summer’s previously scheduled European tour. It will take place Sunday, June 10 at the U.K.’s Download Festival.
So as not to let the promoters and fans down, OZZY OSBOURNE will now perform the majority of the previously scheduled BLACK SABBATH dates (both festival performances and the headlining shows) billed as OZZY & FRIENDS. These “first ever” OZZY & FRIENDS shows will feature appearances by “special guest” musicians including GEEZER BUTLER (who will join Ozzy for a special BLACK SABBATH set as a show of respect and support to their friend, Tony Iommi) and longtime former OZZY band member Zakk Wylde. In addition, OZZY will be accompanied by longtime collaborator and friend Slash at select shows, with other “special guests” set to join the tour at various stops along the way (full list of dates, appearances below).
Tony Iommi continues to make excellent progress and is looking forward to getting back out on the road. Meanwhile, BLACK SABBATH continue to write and record music in the U.K. for their upcoming album. More information about these dates and BLACK SABBATH’s recording and touring plans is forthcoming.
The 2012 tour dates are as follows:
BLACK SABBATH
DATE CITY VENUE
Sun 6/10 Donnington UK Download Festival
OZZY AND FRIENDS
DATE CITY VENUE
Wed 5/23 Helsinki, Finland Hartwall Arena
Fri 5/25 Stockholm, Sweden Stadium
Sun 5/27 Jelling, Denmark Jelling Festival
Tue 5/29 Bergen, Norway Bergen Calling Festival
Thu 5/31 Oslo, Norway Spektrum
Sat 6/2 Malmo, Sweden Malmo Stadium
Mon 6/4 Dortmund, Germany Westfalenhalle
Wed 6/6 Prague, Czech Rep O2 Arena
Fri 6/15 Vitoria, Spain Azkena Rock Festival
Sun 6/17 Clisson, France Hellfest
Fri 6/22 Dessel, Belgium Graspop Metal Meeting
Sun 6/24 Milan, Italy Gods of Metal Festival
Tue 6/26 Vienna, Austria Stadthalle
Thu 6/28 Belgrade, Serbia USCE Park
Sun 7/1 Athens, Greece Rockwave Festival – Terra
Dr. Eddies Wingman
Brighter than thousand_suns
Well, well. Now i am glad I haven't bought a ticket yet. Ozzy & Friends? Not interested. But if they later sort out the contract stuff with Ward, and Iommi gets back going, I would like to see a real Sabbath reunion. I won't hold my breath, though.
I don't care about Ozzy & Friends, but the concert organisers of the show I was going to see claim that they will add multiple other bands to the lineup. So I'm going to wait until they announce the whole lineup, and then decide.
Travis The Dragon
AFTERGLOW!!!
That's really too bad. Hopefully we'll at least get a new Sabbath album with Ozzy. It will be very interesting to hear how that sounds.
Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison has reportedly been tapped to record drums on the new Black Sabbath album and has been spotted arriving in England just yesterday. When contacted, Tony Iommi’s management had no comment. But Ozzy himself was reached and stated:
“It’s supposed to be a secret. But Joey is a world class drummer, so sure, we’re glad to have him working on the new album with us.”
There’s no word as yet if Jordison will be touring with the band on the upcoming “Ozzy and Friends” dates or future Black Sabbath dates. This development comes after no agreement could be reached with original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward and rumors abound that the gap is one of money.
“It’s supposed to be a secret. But Joey is a world class drummer, so sure, we’re glad to have him working on the new album with us.”
There’s no word as yet if Jordison will be touring with the band on the upcoming “Ozzy and Friends” dates or future Black Sabbath dates. This development comes after no agreement could be reached with original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward and rumors abound that the gap is one of money.
Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison has reportedly been tapped to record drums on the new Black Sabbath album and has been spotted arriving in England just yesterday. When contacted, Tony Iommi’s management had no comment. But Ozzy himself was reached and stated:
“It’s supposed to be a secret. But Joey is a world class drummer, so sure, we’re glad to have him working on the new album with us.”
There’s no word as yet if Jordison will be touring with the band on the upcoming “Ozzy and Friends” dates or future Black Sabbath dates. This development comes after no agreement could be reached with original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward and rumors abound that the gap is one of money.
Awful. I also heard the album is going to feature a duet between Ozzy and his daughter. Now this is only hearsay, but some sources report that she is also going to join the band on tour and take over vocals whenever Ozzy gets ill so they won't have to cancel gigs and let the fans down.
I heard about that Perun. I also heard that Sabbath is planning on performing Dio era songs - Ozzy's daughter will do high pitched stuff
Forostar
Ancient Mariner
Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison has reportedly been tapped to record drums on the new Black Sabbath album and has been spotted arriving in England just yesterday. When contacted, Tony Iommi’s management had no comment. But Ozzy himself was reached and stated:
“It’s supposed to be a secret. But Joey is a world class drummer, so sure, we’re glad to have him working on the new album with us.”
There’s no word as yet if Jordison will be touring with the band on the upcoming “Ozzy and Friends” dates or future Black Sabbath dates. This development comes after no agreement could be reached with original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward and rumors abound that the gap is one of money.
Wait a minute. This could (should!) be April Fools as well. I sure was fooled man.