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Geezer on Bill Ward...and Bill Responds

FourNotFive

FourNotFive

Dec 30, 2011
281
262
Ohio
#1
This really bums me out:

GEEZER BUTLER On BILL WARD's Absence From BLACK SABBATH Tour: 'His Health Has To Come First Before Anything'

In the interview Geezer cites Bill Ward's health and it's impact on his ability to play his parts and keep up with the rigors of touring as the reason he has not been involved in the most recent Sabbath reunion.

Bill responded via Twitter: "Not the truth Geezer, simply not the truth."

Ward was on record the last time around stating that he was not offered a "signable contract".

I have a feeling that there is truth on both sides. The nature of Bill's playing and the demands of a major tour make it believable that he may not be up to the task (especially if the heart issues are factual), but it is also very plausible that they tried to shaft him on his contract.

Whatever the reality may be it is a shame that Geezer had to publicly call out Bill's inability to play and then gush praises on his replacement. I'm also fairly certain that Ozzy didn't have to prove his vocal chops. He is not exactly firing on all cylinders.

I am going to see them in a few weeks and I was conflicted when I purchased the tickets last week. Now even more so. I am generally not into the whole reunion thing, but I have always been a huge Sabbath (and Geezer) fan and I have never seen them live. I guess recent events have made some regrets surface. I turned down opportunities to see Bowie in the 80s because he was "past his prime" and ticket prices were "outrageous" at the time. Now that he has passed I would gladly take a time machine back to pay $50 to see him with Alomar / Rojas / etc...

As a wise man once said, "It's better to regret something that you have done than to regret something that you haven't done." I will try enjoy the show for what it is, but I am not sure if I will regret going more than not going.

Why can't bands age more like Rush (with dignity and unison) and less like Van Halen (with greed and backstabbing)?
 
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#2
Money and/or ego.

It really is that simple.

I've seen more than a few old timers who had no business whatever on stage trying to prove they still can.

IMO THE defining characteristic of rock and roll is youthful angst, without that it's just another bar band pretending to be relevent.

You get your shot and then you move on.

Don't get ne wrong, plenty of young rockers mature well and become serious writers, singers, players, but i cringe when i see a bunch of 60~70 year olds phoning in "Start Me Up", or "iron Man" when i know at least 3 local bar bands full of young hungry cats who could slay either tune.
 
#7
I thought Ward sounded great on the Reunion cd. When I saw them live, it was a real mammoth sound. The Reunion show was recorded 18 years ago, however (!). The last album, 13, had a groove to it, that Sabbath hasn't displayed since the mid-70s. I think Ward has lost that jazzy groove he once had. I might be in the minority, but I'm glad they brought in a different drummer, from a groove oriented band. I saw them twice in the early 2000s, and that's how I want to remember them.
 
#8
Go see them. I saw them a couple years ago and the rhythm section is tight and heavy as h**l. The drummer did great justice to Wards parts. The sound production was good and Ozzy was, well.....he was what we all know he sounds like now. But, go see Tony and Geezer before you can't. It's freaking Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler and live is just a whole level up.
 
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#13
I saw them in the early 90s with Dio and Vinnie Appice. Just awesome.
The whole signal contract thing cones down to a personal dispute, royalty entittlement, and public apologies that just aren't gonna happen.
Geezer was trying to be diplomatic with that statement, but Ward wants his side heard.
 
#18
Saw them back in the haydays...@1976 or 1977. Great show. Spectrum in Philadelphia with Ted Nugent. Promoter decided they needed an opening act so they brought in Mothers Finest. Great white funk band from that era. Unfortunately the Nugent crowd wasn't having any of it and started throwing their JD bottles about halfway through the third or fourth song. They walked off in disgust. Unfortunate as they were very good...just not right for the crowd.
 
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#19
FourNotFive said:
This really bums me out:

GEEZER BUTLER On BILL WARD's Absence From BLACK SABBATH Tour: 'His Health Has To Come First Before Anything'

In the interview Geezer cites Bill Ward's health and it's impact on his ability to play his parts and keep up with the rigors of touring as the reason he has not been involved in the most recent Sabbath reunion.

Bill responded via Twitter: "Not the truth Geezer, simply not the truth."

Ward was on record the last time around stating that he was not offered a "signable contract".

I have a feeling that there is truth on both sides. The nature of Bill's playing and the demands of a major tour make it believable that he may not be up to the task (especially if the heart issues are factual), but it is also very plausible that they tried to shaft him on his contract.

Whatever the reality may be it is a shame that Geezer had to publicly call out Bill's inability to play and then gush praises on his replacement. I'm also fairly certain that Ozzy didn't have to prove his vocal chops. He is not exactly firing on all cylinders.

I am going to see them in a few weeks and I was conflicted when I purchased the tickets last week. Now even more so. I am generally not into the whole reunion thing, but I have always been a huge Sabbath (and Geezer) fan and I have never seen them live. I guess recent events have made some regrets surface. I turned down opportunities to see Bowie in the 80s because he was "past his prime" and ticket prices were "outrageous" at the time. Now that he has passed I would gladly take a time machine back to pay $50 to see him with Alomar / Rojas / etc...

As a wise man once said, "It's better to regret something that you have done than to regret something that you haven't done." I will try enjoy the show for what it is, but I am not sure if I will regret going more than not going.

Why can't bands age more like Rush (with dignity and unison) and less like Van Halen (with greed and backstabbing)?
Click to expand...

Jumping in late, but the penalties for not honouring gig commitments can be quite onerous, and often promoters push these to the band, and this can often be because a promoter cannot take the financial hit that its contracts with venues represent. If you have a band member that may not be able to do a full tour then the other band members may seek to isolate themselves from the financial implications, which might lead to that member being advised not to sign the contract due to level if risk they are themselves exposed to.
 
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#20
biguglyman said:
Saw them back in the haydays...@1976 or 1977. Great show. Spectrum in Philadelphia with Ted Nugent. Promoter decided they needed an opening act so they brought in Mothers Finest. Great white funk band from that era. Unfortunately the Nugent crowd wasn't having any of it and started throwing their JD bottles about halfway through the third or fourth song. They walked off in disgust. Unfortunate as they were very good...just not right for the crowd.
Click to expand...
I saw them in the 70's too. Boston opened for them. That was a lopsided ticket..... BUT.... I wanted to let you know Mothers Finest is still original. Still rocking their arses off and can be seen regularly in the southeast. They are certainly aging gracefully as a group. And their bass player, Wyzard is as solid and awesome as any out there. He is why I love em.
 
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