Bill Ward may quit Black Sabbath reunion over “unsignable contract”

PanARMENIAN.Net - Bill Ward has threatened to pull out of the Black Sabbath reunion. In an open letter on his website, the drummer said he will not continue with the planned album and tour unless he receives a "signable contract … that reflects some dignity and respect toward me as an original member of the band".

Ward's announcement throws the reunion into question. Despite Black Sabbath's confidence in November, with the promise of a world tour and their first album in 33 years, doubts emerged last month after Tony Iommi was diagnosed with early-stage lymphoma. "[Tony is] determined to make a full and successful recovery," the band said at the time, explaining they would continue recording in England, where Iommi is receiving treatment.

"Since the news of Tony's illness, and the understanding that the band would move production to the UK, I've spent every day getting to or living in a place of readiness to leave," Ward wrote. "As I've tried to find out what's going on with the UK sessions, I've realised that I've been getting 'the cold shoulder' (and, I might add, not for the first time)."

The problem, Ward said, is he has not signed Black Sabbath's new contract. While he doesn't detail the issues, the current terms are "unsignable": "I stand to lose my rights, dignity and respectability as a rock musician," he wrote. "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 want a contract that shows some respect to me and my family, a contract that will honour all that I've brought to Black Sabbath since its beginning."

Meanwhile, the rest of Black Sabbath are continuing with new material. According to an official update on 24 January, writing sessions are underway in Birmingham. "It's just been amazing," they said.

Ward said he is prepared to be replaced. "I hope you will not hold me responsible for the failure of an original Black Sabbath lineup as promoted," he wrote. And yet if a suitable contract is put before him, the 63-year-old says he is "good to go". "I grew up in a hard rock/metal band," he explained. "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," BBC News quoted him as saying.

For the moment, Black Sabbath's comeback tour is scheduled to begin on 18 May in Moscow. Their only UK date so far is the Download festival in June.