Black Sabbath added to Ozzfest!

[redrumloa]

A rumor that actually came true, Black Sabbath has been added to the Ozzfest tour! Details are sketchy but it has been confirmed.

BLACK SABBATH TO HEADLINE OZZFEST 2004;
FIRST LIVE APPEARANCE SINCE 2001
 
Call it a mandate from the people.  Call it a rumor that just won’t die.  Call it what you want, but since the April 27 release of the CD/DVD Black Box: The Complete Original Black Sabbath (1970-1978), there’s been enormous public demand for a Black Sabbath tour.  Original Black Sabbath members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler (as well as Osbourne-solo band member Mike Bordin, on drums) – will storm the U.S., performing 26 shows on OZZfest, starting July 10 in Hartford, Conn.

[Mike_Amiga]

Lets hope Ozzy doesn't fall apart on stage, man that dude is old now...

I went to Ozzfest 98 (UK), and was amazed he remembered all the song words. :-o

[redrumloa]

Mike_Amiga wrote:
Lets hope Ozzy doesn't fall apart on stage, man that dude is old now...

Age isn't his problem unfortunately, it's because of how bad he has abused drugs over the years. Luckily though he can't speak a full sentence, once he starts singing the words just seem to flow normally. Or at least that has been the way it's been until now, let's hope it still is.

[AmiGR]

People should really go to any festival featuring Sabbath,
Priest, Maiden, etc.
These people are OLD now (heck, Halford is 54 years old).
You never know if you'll be able to see them live again.
1) They could get a heart attack during a live;-)
2) They could break up once and for all.

I already bought a ticket for the third day of the Rockwave
Festival in Greece:-) That includes Judas Priest, Queensryche, Nightwish and Nightfall.

[redrumloa]

@Amigr

You will probably be disapointed with Queensyche. I've never been a huge fan of them myself, but a friend of mine is and saw them live in 2003. He says they were terrible.

But a concert with Judas Priest is a concert with Judas Priest:-)

[Vincent]

Original Black Sabbath members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler (as well as Osbourne-solo band member Mike Bordin, on drums)

It's not Sabbath without all FOUR members :-(

Why they couldn't allow some leeway for Ward to be there we'll probably never know.

[MAD]

Hoya!

I think he had had some cardiac problems in the past, right?

Be funky

M A D

[that_punk_guy]

Yeah, IIRC they were freaking out over his appearance at the "final" Black Sabbath shows in 1999 because of his health issues.

[Vincent]

MAD wrote:
I think he had had some cardiac problems in the past, right?

Yup, Faith No More's (I think it was him) drummer had to stand in for Ward in the past couple of years due to Ward's heart probs.

I read a statement from Ward himself (I'll look for it soon) that said he would've done it if he could, but they weren't giving him any leeway at all with anything so he had to turn it down.

[edit] Found it :-D

BILL'S STATEMENT ON OZZFEST 2004 - May 18, 2004   
   


Earlier today, the news broke that Black Sabbath was to headline Ozzfest 2004, with a lineup of Ozzy Osbourne/Tony Iommi/Geezer Butler/Mike Bordin - without Bill Ward on drums.  Here is a statement from Bill Ward about Ozzfest 2004.

"Dear Sabbath People,

This morning I received the very sad news that Mike Bordin is to play drums with Black Sabbath on Ozzfest '04.

Black Sabbath is, and always will be an important priority in my life.  I support Geezer's, Tony's and Ozzy's decisions to move ahead into Ozzfest '04 without me.  I can appreciate they may not be overjoyed with the decision, and I'd really like to be with them.  Nothing would please me more than to be a part of the show.

Last week I did receive a proposal which allowed no room for negotiation.  It was a cul-de-sac proposal in my opinion, where the only answer was yes or no.  I was asked to respond by Friday. May 14th.  I wrote a brief letter of decline on Thursday, May 13th.  I answered directly at the proposal, and left out any personal comments, other than I was sad to have to decline.  What I did not put in my response was this:

I'm willing to be flexible
I'm willing to compromise
I'm willing to negotiate
I'm willing to play.

I understand and believe in a united front when it comes to Sabbath.  I can appreciate the fallout from such a decision will upset some people, and I am so sorry.  I'm more than willing to support Ozzfest in any way I can.

I've walked down this street before when Sabbath did the first reunion without me and had Mike Bordin play instead.  I want you to know, I'm not being the bad guy here.  I'm not trying to hold anyone to ransom.  And I'm not trying to reverse my decision to decline in hope of a positive managerial response to this letter.

I'm ready, willing and able to rock.  There are some details on the proposal that don't work for me.  I guess it's a case of the importance of things on both sides and I think that's all I can say for now."

Bill Ward
5/18/04

also...

BILL SPEAKS OUT AGAIN - May 21, 2004   
   
UPDATE: After having posted this statement from Bill, several sites are reporting that Bill is back in Black Sabbath for Ozzfest 2004.  Please be aware that this has not happened yet.  This statement just means there are discussions, and while said discussions might lead to Bill being on the Ozzfest tour, it has not happened yet.  Any further developments will be covered here.

-----------------------------------------------------------

In the wee hours of the morning, I received another statement from Bill Ward regarding the Ozzfest 2004 situation.  Without further ado, here it is.  If there are any further developments, they will definitely be posted here.

Dear Sabbath People,

I have communicated to Sharon that I will accept the proposal of 5/11/04 regarding me playing Ozzfest, and today I received a very positive response from her.  At this time, I am taking this response as a move forward.  This announcement is for the benefit of all those who these past few days have been so  outspoken favouring and supporting me as a member of Sabbath.  I personally thank all of you.  To All Sabbath People On Earth - Rock & Shine.

-Bill Ward
5/20/04

Both taken from The Official Bill Ward Web Site

[Doobrey]

AmiGR wrote:
People should really go to any festival featuring Sabbath,
Priest, Maiden, etc.
These people are OLD now (heck, Halford is 54 years old).
You never know if you'll be able to see them live again.

Maiden ain`t that old..especially compared to the Rolling Stones..
 I saw `em in December last year, all I can say is they`re still `kin brilliant,  "Fear of the duck" is a great live song, the whole audience joining in..

Oh well, I`m off to order my Whitesnake tickets..now there`s a bloke who`s knocking on a bit

[Van_M]

Black Sabbath:
They should really call it a day. I saw them live at London Astoria (warm-up gig for the "Farewell Show" -!!!) in December '99 and Ozzy was struggling to catch his breath after the first 3 songs... He should settle down and stay home. The age is not an issue. He is more or less the same age as Biff Byford (Saxon), Biff is an animal on stage! R.J. Dio is older but he is still on great shape! I thing it has to do with abuse of alcohol and drugs.

Judas Priest:
I'd really like to see them live with the original line-up. BTW am I the only person on the planet who prefers ICED EARTH with Matt Barlow on the mic.? Their last album with Tim Owens (ex.Judas Priest- vocals) was soooo mediocre....

Queensryche:
I saw them live in 2003 in London. The gig was very good, even though it doesn't compare to the shows they use to play in '88-'92(Operation-Livecrime anyone?). Good thing is they played mostly old tunes. Too bad their last listenable album was in '94...

[that_punk_guy]

Tim Owens sucked in Priest too. ;-)