Check the statement.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Black Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne spoke about drummer Bill Ward's absence from the band's last tour. Ozzy said he was sad that Ward wasn't part of the shows, and regarding the possibility of Ward appearing at the band's final show in Birmingham, Ozzy said: "Every time I try to talk to Bill he yells at me about something."
Bill Ward then posted a text on his official Facebook page, responding to Ozzy's comments. Check out the full text:
"A response to Ozzy saying he's sad about Bill Ward's absence.".
Ozzy hasn't tried to contact me since January 26/27, 2012, when he called to see when I would arrive in the UK to participate in rehearsals for the album "13". Since that last call, he hasn't tried to speak to me again, and I haven't tried to speak to him.
Ozzy is sad that Bill didn't end up coming. Ozzy needs to check the factors that prevented me from going. The contract was impossible to sign. The group's rhetoric since 2012, 2013 and until today has been to find fault, condemning me and full of dishonesty towards me as a person, including my supposed 'health problems'. If I had signed the contract, I suspect they wouldn't have labeled me as having poor health or all the other judgments that were made against me.
As a reminder, in September 2015 we asked a Sabbath representative if there would be an opening for me to play with the band again. The representative replied 'no'. It's hard to show up when you get a 'no'.
I love all Sabbath fans around the world, and the idea of me playing in Birmingham is emotionally heartbreaking, and at the same time bitter. I think Sabbath fans who loved the original band have already experienced enough disappointment and sadness. For me, playing in Birmingham would only be, I think, discriminatory and elitist towards other people around the world. I could never be discriminatory or elitist towards our fans.
It was sad enough not playing on the album and tour, and it will be sad not playing for the fans in Birmingham. Please know that these circumstances were not created by me. It's not what I wanted or what I would have chosen. If you had to choose whether or not to sign a contract that diminishes and devalues you, I imagine most of you would have the dignity and self-respect to walk away as well.
My absence from current and future shows in Birmingham reflects an undeniable betrayal that my accusers can't bear to admit. This is called selfishness and egocentrism. Dishonesty and disloyalty. These are the reasons for the demise of the original Sabbath lineup.
Bill
