Sabian - Because Sound Matters

Facts

Country	United States
Groups	BLACK SABBATH
Genres	Metal,Rock
Website	www.billward.com

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Biography

Bill Ward, founding member and drummer for Black Sabbath, was born May 5, 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, England. Ward, who was drumming on boxes at age 3, began playing seriously as a drummer at the age of 10. Early influences on his drumming include Gene Krupa, New Orleans funeral marching bands, big band jazz from America, all the early U.S. rock-n-roll band drummers and all the early 60’s British pop, rock and blues drummers, Ringo Starr being a definite favorite. Ward’s passion for big band jazz, blues and rock-n-roll built a foundation from which he began to develop his own style.

In 1964, Ward and guitarist Tony Iommi met and worked together in a number of bands around Birmingham, England. Continuing his musical apprenticeship, again playing with Iommi in Mythology, a well-established blues rock band in Northwest England, Ward felt enormous growth in his playing, and he describes Iommi as a young demon guitar player.

Mythology marked the end of an era for Ward and Iommi because after Mythology, and now with Geezer Butler and singer Ozzy Osbourne, the Polka Tulk Blues Band, later changing their name to Earth, and finally to Black Sabbath, was born. The foursome went on to write and record their self-titled debut album in 1969. The release of “Black Sabbath” in 1970 was the first in a string of hugely successful albums for the band. Black Sabbath became one of the most successful bands of the 1970s, and today, Black Sabbath is heralded as one of the greatest heavy metal bands in history.

As a member of Black Sabbath, Ward helped to create some of the most intense and enduring tracks in heavy metal and rock-n-roll. Recognized as one of the pioneer drummers in heavy metal, Ward attacked his kit with an unyielding energy, reaching primal scream in every performance.

Of his self-described heavy and orchestrational style, Ward explains, “In order to support Tony and Geezer, I needed to play heavy and hard and loud. They were turning out some of the most intense, unbelievable riffs, and I went where I needed to go to support where they were at.

“I have always loved dark chords. First influences, for me, were classical music parts. As Sabbath developed, we all felt drawn to the flat 5’s - dark sounds. For me, it was perfect. I could weave in and out, and create crescendos and flat-out force to accompany a lyric, or a bass note, or guitar riff.”

Ward played with Black Sabbath from 1968-1980, returned briefly in 1983-1984, and returned again in 1985 with the original line-up for a performance at Live Aid. Also in the 1980s, Ward experienced playing with other musicians during his life-after-Sabbath years. In 1986, he formed his own Bill Ward Band and further showcased his skills as a songwriter, musician and singer.

Ward and the Bill Ward Band released their first album in 1989. Titled “Ward One: Along The Way” the album featured various guest musicians, including Ozzy Ozbourne, Zakk Wylde, Jack Bruce and many others. “When The Bough Breaks,” Ward’s second solo album, was released in 1997.

1997 was also the year that Ward joined the original members of Black Sabbath again for the Reunion Tour. Since then, Ward has continued to play drums with the original Black Sabbath line-up. The past decade has brought a number of over-due accolades to Black Sabbath, most notably, a Grammy Award in 2000, and induction into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.

In addition to his work with Black Sabbath and his solo projects, Ward also co-hosts “Rock 50,” an internet radio show, once a month. The show predominantly features Ward’s favorite heavy and hardcore metal artists. Currently, Ward is writing and recording more solo material.

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