BLACK SABBATH
AFTER FOREVER
What is this that stands before me? Only the original lineup ofBLACK SABBATH, gathered together for the final time! To celebrate the event,Uncuthears their story from the secret ingredient of the band’s heavy swing: drummerBILL WARD. “I jump into a song and explode,” he tells John Robinson
Brum punch: Sabbath in London, May 31, 1970: (l–r) Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne
CHRIS WALTER/WIRE IMAGE
Crosses to bare: Sabbath in their pomp, 1972
KEVIN GOFF; ELLEN POPPINGA - K & K/REDFERNS
MUCH as it did at the start of their first album, a doomy bell is tolling for Black Sabbath. Back then, in 1970, it signalled the start of something momentous: an influential 50-plusyear career of classic albums, deathless riffs, extraordinary anecdotes and – for the most part – the overriding impression of a band with an incredible unity of purpose. Now, after countless lineups, several reformations of the original 1968–1978 band, and at least two last tours, Black Sabbath is calling time on itself with what must surely be a definitively final performance.
The “Back To The Beginning” show in July will return the band to the district of Aston in Birmingham, England where it formed, but more importantly will reunite the original lineup: Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums). To Sabbath fans, the last of these names is particularly significant. When something like the original Black Sabbath formation made its final album 13 in 2013, it was with Rage Against The Machine’s Brad Wilk assisting them. When they went on tour, it was with Ozzy Osbourne’s drummer Tommy Clufetos. Now, though, a good 20 years since they last shared a stage, Bill Ward is back.
Why is this a big deal? Mainly because Black Sabbath are unique among heavy rock bands for composing collectively. Their drum parts are integral not only to the power of the songs, but to their character and musicality. There are as many air drumming moments in their catalogue as occasions for air guitar.
Everyone pitched in – so much so, they even split the songwriting credits equally.
“Each one of us brought something different to the songs,” Geezer Butler told me a couple of years ago. “Usually Tony came up with the main riff, but we all put our bits into it. It never came to any kind of discussion – without Bill’s drumming it wouldn’t have sounded the same. He’s the heavy metal swing drummer.”
Getting back here hasn’t been easy. Bill would have played with Sabbath in 2013 but was not offered what he described then as a “signable” contract. His health has also given him some cause for concern.