Black Sabbath Fans In Massive Backlash Over Bill Ward Being Replaced

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BLACK SABBATH FANS IN MASSIVE BACKLASH OVER BILL WARD BEING REPLACED
8th February 2012

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The fallout from the news of Bill Ward being replaced by Tommy Clufetos in Black Sabbath has been truly astonishing. We broke the story at 5.00pm GMT on Tuesday and there followed an unprecedented backlash against the decision by Sabbath fans across the world.

The band's management are yet to comment but the fans have certainly had their say and the support that Bill Ward has received is nothing short of overwhelming.

Facebook pages supporting Bill sprang up, for example 1,000,000 Black Sabbath fans say yes to Bill Ward which received over 8,000 'Likes' in just a few hours.

Article continues below...

The Official Black Sabbath Facebook page was inundated with comments from angry fans which were all deleted. The administrators of the page eventually disabled fan comments altogether.

Leading the way was Annemarie Connory who wrote:

"Isn't it ironic,that Black Sabbath were always about freedom of expression and here the admin is deleting comments that don't follow the bullshit line that Bill is at fault here.This is not what Black Sabbath are about and this admin is just doing that legacy a disservice.Deleting comments is just the proof needed that this is all down to Sharon Osbourne and if you people were real Sabbath fan's,you would support Bill against Sharon Osbourne.LONG LIVE THE "REAL" BLACK SABBATH"And not these corporate shills,that don't care about the "REAL FANS" only the money...For shame!!!"

And Bill's son Aron made a telling statement which was also deleted. It read:

"There's one thing about Black Sabbath which should not be understated: If Black Sabbath is missing any one of its members it's no longer Black Sabbath." - Henry Rollins i'm with Henry 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. as he stated his bags are packed and he's ready to go. he say's it loud and clear, he definitely wants to play on the album and he definitely wants to tour. i know he's been committed to this project from the beginning all the way to the point everyone else flew off to the uk. when i saw him over the summer he had this little cd case with him that had all the rehearsals and song ideas. each cd was sharpie scrawled with rough titles and ideas they had been working on.

"about a month ago my dad called me to let me know that Tony had been diagnosed with cancer. he said they were all flying over in the next couple of weeks to continue recording the album in the uk and begin rehearsals for the summer tours. he'd been rehearsing more than i've ever known him to. up till about 3 weeks ago he was working extremely hard and close with the other 3 on this album/reunion tour. he was in very good spirits and sounded excited to be writing with Tony, Geezer and Ozzy again. i know if they sort this shit out you guys won't be disappointed.

"i've always stayed out of my dad's business and would like nothing more than for everything to be worked out swiftly between the guys. unfortunately it's become personal with all these idiots slagging off my dad so this is for the fucking morons saying "get over it Bill" : my dad has "gotten over it" again and again. he's risen above this bullshit thing called showbiz for the last 30 years. he's respected because he's real and honest not just because he's a complete bad ass on the drums. he's been there for other musicians. in all kinds of circles - punk rock, hardcore, metal whatever. he was one of the first to get his head screwed back on after the 70's and get cleaned up. he's given so much support to so many people trying to pull themselves out of the hell called addiction. he tries so hard to stay in touch with the fans. he'll talk your ear off if you get a chance. he is humbled by your support and loves you.

"can't believe he needs to make this public" or "it's not the first time" : you're an idiot and have no idea what the hell's really going on. just shut the fuck up and keep the speculation and lies to yourself. what my dad posted was from his heart, on the level and as usual completely honest. he wants you to know what's really going on. that he has been given a contract that he can't sign. nothing more to it. no hidden agenda. disappointingly someone else is trying to shroud everything in some kind of x factor "yeah it's full steam ahead - we have no choice" bullshit. of course they have a choice.

"don't be so greedy" : he is by no means greedy man. if he was he would of settled with whatever contract given him. it's kind of obvious someone else is greedy. wake up. he lives in a modest home in southern california. pays rent like the rest of uz. in case your still blind look at it this way - sadly the current "sabbath" statement reads as if someone would rather see the remaining members play in front of thousands of disappointed, confused and resentful fans then give my dad a dignified agreement. additionally the record sales will be severely affected because it isn't the promised original line up. all this because of someone's inability to respect him as the committed founding member he is. this has derailed the fan's hopes of seeing the original line up and strongly divided the fans. what a way to fuck up such a powerful, influential and inspirational legacy for the rest of time.

"who cares, it's just a bunch pensioners" : i'm just as cynical about old rock legends getting back on the road "one more time" as anyone but this is BLACK SABBATH. they've never been a conventional band. thing is i know these guys have been rehearsing loads. over the last couple months. when i've caught up with my dad he's been talking about how heavy the jams have been and how hard he's been playing. do you think people were looking at miles davis, ornette coleman or max roach going "man these guys are boring and old" no! it's the music that's important, played by the masters themselves. thats what we want. they're here to teach us, inspire us and make us flip out. i saw the (captain beefhearts) magic band recently on tour and they were clearly the definite article. legends. completely schooled any new hip shiny processed hyped out mush you've been exposed to in the last couple years. there's no doubt that there are loads of new heavy as fuck bands out there but to me Black Sabbath are still totally relevant. it's pointless to bitch about their age. they will kick serious fucking ass. trust.

to Terry (my godfather) , Ozzy (my friend when i was little) and Tony (towering hero) i hope that you will listen to your fans. they want all of you together. as YOU are black sabbath so is my Dad. i hope you guys can work it out.

Aron

COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE

Josh G, February 8, 2012 at 5:25 pm
Steve - are you prepared to name your source as to your claim that Sharon fired Bill?

Frank DeHaven, February 8, 2012 at 6:44 pm
freedom of the press-he dont have to...

Pete Widdows, February 9, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Disgusted... plain fucking DISGUSTED. Apparently, the H&H tribute to Ronnie Dio last year was \'the last time\' they would play together out of respect. Given Tony\'s illness, this reunion didn\'t seem so distasteful. But no Bill Ward? How the fuck is this the \'original\' Sabbath, and what the fuck has Tommy Clufetos ever had to do with them? Ever since I heard the reunion happening earlier this year, it has STUNK of Sharon Osborne and her reality TV cash drying up. Words can\'t express how utterly disgusted I am with this, and with her seeming to screw things up out of sheer greed yet again. This is the worst disrespect she and the band could have shown to not only one of their founding members who was there WAAAAAAY before her, but also to the memory of Ronnie. Sharon, your greed repulses me, and I will not be going to Download in light of this, I am damned if you are getting one penny out of me.

ed rickard, February 10, 2012 at 2:51 am
Sabbath without Bill Ward? would be like Motorhead without Lemmy...so Sharon why dont you fucking get lost and let the guys do it right

Brian, February 15, 2012 at 12:14 pm
If they want to do the Black Sabbath reunion, then do a proper Sabbath reunion. Otherwise it\'s just another version of Sharons band or another 80\'s version of Sabbath. Why not just get ole whoop-whoop Glenn Hughes to sing now as well and play Cozy\'s old drum tracks for background.

Dan, February 15, 2012 at 5:02 pm
It ain\'t original Sabbath without Bill. Calling it Sabbath without him is wrong. If you don\'t include Bill, then how \' bout have Tony Martin on vocals, Kirk Hammit on guitar, Steve Harris on bass, and Neil Peart on drums. You have to admit, that this line up would kick some major ass!! But in the end, there is only one Black Sabbath. I suppose if Bill does not play, the could call themselves \"The 75 Percents!\" I was lucky enough to see the original line up in 2005, at Ozzfest. I would love to see it again, but only if Bill is their drummer. Anything less is not SABBATH!!!!!!!!!!!

Stu, February 15, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Somethings a miss. Why can\'t people get along. Just take 25% each and play. You are all equals too me, one is no better than the others. Stop being greedy and start be team players. Also, kick everyone out of the room, except you 4. No one else allowed.

Dell, February 15, 2012 at 9:35 pm
Just about to book flight to see the band at Download... not anymore.