She insists “I don’t manage the band, I manage my husband” as fans raise voices against drummer Ward’s possible departure
Don't blame me: Osbourne
Sharon Osbourne insists she has nothing to do with the contract scuffles threatening to disrupt Black Sabbath’s reunion album.
Drummer Bill Ward this week announced he was ready to pull out of the project, because after a year of negotiation he still hadn’t been offered a contract he regarded as “signable”.
As rumours flew he’d be replaced with Ozzy Osbourne’s sticksman Tommy Clufetos, Ward criticised Sabbath’s management for failing to respect his contribution to the metal giants’ legacy.
That’s led many to the conclusion that Sharon Osbourne, daughter of infamous rock impresario Don Arden, is behind the disagreements.
But last night she stated via Facebook: “I am not in any position to hire or fire anyone in Black Sabbath. I don’t manage the band, I manage my husband.”
An online campaign to keep Ward in the band has gathered 25,000 followers in 24 hours. Organiser Tony Conley posted a picture of the original band and said: “This is the lineup that will make this page disappear like it never happened. Or, a reasonable explanation as to why Bill Ward is out, and feeling as if he’d been treated shabbily! I wish for nothing but a happy ending for all.”
Meanwhile, Ward’s son Aron has voiced his support for the campaign. He says: “The press is spinning this shit storm to read as if my dad has quit. This is not true. the guys know that. that’s why they said the door is always open. My dad hasn’t ‘declined’ playing with Black Sabbath or ‘threatened’ to pull out of this reunion. He definitely wants to play on the album and he definitely wants to tour. He’s been committed to this project from the beginning.”
Ward Jr says he’d normally stay out of his father’s business but he’s been angered by the number of people who have concluded the drummer is being greedy, shouldn’t have said anything in public or should just “get over it”. He supports Ward’s recent comments that he was living out of a suitcase until communication seemed to be cut off when the project moved to the UK in a bid to help guitarist Tony Iommi in his cancer battle.
He ends with a personal appeal to his dad’s bandmates: “To Terry, my godfather, Ozzy, my friend when i was little, and Tony, towering hero: I hope that you will listen to your fans. You are Black Sabbath so is my dad. I hope you guys can work it out.”
Just for the record, our Facebook page has never mentioned Sharon Osbourne as being involved with the Ward/Sabbath situation. The only mention I have made of Mrs. Osbourne has been to discourage people from villainizing her, or anyone else. My page’s only intent has been to support Bill Ward, and to see a reunion of Black Sabbath that would include all four original members. The fans have been amazing in their support, and while a few go off on tangents, most have been very cool!
A happy ending for all is our only goal
Tony Conley
Thanks Tony –– and to confirn, there was never any suggestion you’d named Sharon at any point.
i’ve been a fan of BLACK SABBATH since 1970 thats when my drill sargent in the army turned me on to them i sat and listened to the whole album and it just blew me away,and i did’nt even get high then, when i found out that i will be going to viet nam i made sure that i brought my portiable 8 track player and all the tapes i could find on them. on SABBATH. i guess what i’m saying is if wasn’t for them four guys putting out the music they did and me wanting to hear it everyday for 17 months i would have never made it back home to see them live at the chicago ampertheater in 1973 first row having a blast and listening to a band that i will always enjoy seeing and listening too. i’ve seen ever concert that they did in the midwest region and when they broke up and ozzy started another band i was very happy. but what made me very freakin happy was seeing ozzy back together at OZZ FEST once again front row with my band at that time called BLIZZARD OF OZ. and ozzy running around and coming to stage left and him seeing us front row and pointing to us smiling and giving us the thum’s up sign it made me feel freakin awesome so i guess what i’m saying is without BILL WARD being behind his kit and on that drum riser playing with the rest of his original mates it just won’t be BLACK SABBATH just like when dio was with them it just was’nt BLACK SABBATH so PLEASE for all the BLACK SABBATH FANS say f— that contract and put back together the greatise band ever BLACK SABBATH with the four original guy’s and stop the bullkrap we all want that meanning the FANS.
YOUR BIGGEST FAN
LONG LIVE ROCK&ROLL Danny Stone
Ward IS Sabbath
Bill Ward is part of the legend! wouldn’t be the same without him.Black Sabbath is and always be: Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler,Ozzy Osbourne and “Bill Ward!