Photo: Wenn
Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has ruled out rejoining the band until he receives a personal apology from Ozzy Osbourne.
The pair have been feuding since 2012, initially over an 'unsignable' contract and then regarding Osbourne's comments to the press.
"With a sad heart, I have to say I will not participate in any musical undertakings until a righting of the wrongs spoken against me has been achieved," Ward wrote on Facebook. "I must admit, I have little to no expectations of this happening, but in the order of first things first, I'm looking for an honest accountability of all of Ozzy's statements that I felt were untrue."
Ward is seeking a full and public apology from Osbourne for his comments in the press. "Because I was chastised publicly, I would want him to amend publicly in his words, and not through an Ozzy representative, the nature of the wrongs," he wrote. "I would not want to continue on with him without this seemingly [impassable] dilemma being addressed. I don't think previously strong relationships can remain strong after dispute by just sweeping the offensive stuff under the carpet, or by saying a puny sorry, or 'Oh, that's all over now.' It doesn't work like that for me. Righting of wrong works, and that's what I want if I'm ever going to be his friend again."
As Rolling Stone points out, Ward may be referring to a Osbourne's claim that Ward "incredibly overweight" in August 2013 and said, "I don't think he could have done the gig, to be honest.... A drummer has to be in shape. He's already had two heart attacks. I don't want to be responsible for his life."
Ward added: "I've listened to nothing but insults and false remarks, and if as a band or as individuals they wish to continue along the same lines, then any notion of an original Black Sabbath lineup will continue to fade away," Ward wrote.
"Put simply, it's up to them," he continued. "I have dearly missed playing with them and as people, I have been heartbroken over the loss of who I thought we were. And now you know where I stand."
The drummer will shortly release his own LP Accountable Beasts with the Bill Ward Band.
Ozzy Osbourne confirmed the end of Black Sabbath late last year, stating that he will be returning to solo material. The rock veteran told Billboard that whatever the band does now will be "our last hurrah...then it's no more Sabbath at all. We're disbanding the name and everything. They don't want to tour anymore. I get it. But I love it. I'm gonna continue my solo thing".
Black Sabbath will release their final album in 2015 with further details yet to be announced.
