More trouble in Sabbath land. Bill Ward is unhappy.
[ultimateclassicrock.com]

Sounds reasonable to me......


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His letter from [ultimateclassicrock.com]

“Dear Sabbath Fans, Fellow Musicians and Interested Parties,
At this time, I would love nothing more than to be able to proceed with the Black Sabbath album and tour. However, I am unable to continue unless a “signable” contract is drawn up; a contract that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band.

Last year, I worked diligently in good faith with Tony, Ozzy and Geezer. And on 11/11/11, again in good faith, I participated in the L.A. press conference. Several days ago, after nearly a year of trying to negotiate, another “unsignable” contract was handed to me.

Let me say that although this has put me in some kind of holding pattern, I am packed and ready to leave the U.S. for England. More importantly, I definitely want to play on the album, and I definitely want to tour with Black Sabbath.

Since the news of Tony’s illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the U.K., I’ve spent everyday getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave. That involves something of a task, and as I’ve tried to find out what’s going on with the U.K. sessions, I’ve realized that I’ve been getting “the cold shoulder” (and, I might add, not for the first time). Feeling somewhat ostracized, my guess is as of today, I will know nothing of what’s happening unless I sign “the unsignable contract.”

The place I’m in feels lousy and lonely because as much as I want to play and participate, I also have to stand for something and not sign on. If I sign as-is, I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician. I believe in freedom and freedom of speech. I grew up in a hard rock/metal band. We stood for something then, and we played from the heart with honesty and sincerity. I am in the spirit of integrity, far from the corporate malady, I am real and honest, fair and compassionate.

If I’m replaced, I have to face you, the beloved Sabbath fans. I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted. Without fault finding, I want to assure everyone that my loyalty to Sabbath is intact.
So here I am. I lay my truth down before you. I’m good to go IF I get a “signable” contract. I don’t want to let anyone down, especially Black Sabbath and all the Sabbath fans. You know I love you. It would be a sad day in Rock if this current situation fell to the desires of a few.

My position is not greed-driven. I’m not holding out for a “big piece” of the action (money) like some kind of blackmail deal. I’d like something that recognizes and is reflective of my contributions to the band, including the reunions that started fourteen years ago. After the last tour I vowed to never again sign on to an unreasonable contract. I want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honor all that I’ve brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning.

That’s the story so far.
Stay safe and stay strong.
I love every single one of you.
–Bill Ward

Bummer. You think they would simply split band profits equally at this point in their careers. Shameful if they want to pay Bill any less than the others.

You guys are all pushing 70. You can't take it with you. Do the right thing.

this has sharon osbourne all over it !!
a nastier yoko in my opinion

x



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-11-09 20:38 by vudicus.

Yup, sounds exactly like Yoko Osbourne... how much fkn money does she need?

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Max'sKansasCity
Yup, sounds exactly like Yoko Osbourne... how much fkn money does she need?

I know.She controls everything and is a ruthless Beech.

"It's just some friends of mine and they're busting down the door"

Quote
Max'sKansasCity
Yup, sounds exactly like Yoko Osbourne... how much fkn money does she need?

It's not about money it's about f@cking with artists. She saw he father Don Arden do it in the 60's. He was a horrible mean bastard... and one of his henchmen was Peter Grant!

Read "White Bicycles" by Joe Boyd for the whole story!

bad news ... Again the money spoils it and you could say that money is the reunion purpose ? I don't know what is proposed to Bill but as an original member he deserves to share the same part.
By the way I put on Dime my Nijmegen recording of 2005

"we know it's a bit late but we hope you don't mind if we stay"

Seriously folks, what else does anyone think Sharon or some broad like Shannon Tweed (Simmons) are doing with these slime balls? They're old, slimy, washed up geezers who remind you of that dirty uncle everyone wants to forget exists, only thing is, they gots millions upon millions of dollars..

When did Sharon become Sabbath manager ?

They're are rumours the tour is off anyway. Which doesnt sound good for Tony

Quote
andy js
When did Sharon become Sabbath manager ?

They're are rumours the tour is off anyway. Which doesnt sound good for Tony

Looks like they're moving on without Bill:
[ultimateclassicrock.com]

Man, this really blows. You'd think they would have worked out all the details before announcing they were getting back together.

To be fair, they will probably sound better with Vinnie on board but it's disgraceful if Bill was truly given a sub-par contract that didn't properly reflect his role within the band's history

BLACK SABBATH GUITARIST DONE WITH CHEMO, READY TO ROCK

3/28/2012

Cancer-stricken Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi says he's finished chemotherapy and is read to move forward on recording the group's new album. In a "little update" posted on his official web site and Facebook page, Iommi -- who was diagnosed with lymphoma in January -- writes that, "Well, I've had the last dose of chemotherapy, so hopefully my body will start to get back to normal soon. The steroids were the worse (sic). I've now got three weeks of radiotherapy coming up which I'm told can be very tiring, so we'll see. A big thanks to Ozzy (Osbourne) and Geezer (Butler) for coming over to England; it was a big incentive for me. We managed to work most days and have some great new tracks. And, importantly, thanks again for your kind messages. Hope to be seeing you soon." Black Sabbath is set to play one show, June 10 at Britain's Download Festival, while Osbourne will take out an Ozzy & Friends show in Europe this summer with Butler and other special guests. Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has been a holdout due to a contractual dispute.

Good news indeed. If I cannot see Sabbatih at least there will be the record and a tour next year for sure.

"we know it's a bit late but we hope you don't mind if we stay"

All best to Tommy.

I had never wanted to see Black Sabbath. When I was invited to attend the 2005 British Hall of Fame music awards at Alexandra Palace, I heard Sabbath perform for the first time. I was IMPRESSED. They were one tight band and Tommy was terrifc!. On their best behaviour -- except for Ozzy who started out fine and eventually began a bit of babble and, wouldn't you know, "mooning the audience.

Maybe he should hire one of Don Henley's lawyers.