Bill Ward

Bill Ward (born May 5, 1948, Birmingham, England), is the drummer for the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath.

Prior to the formation of Black Sabbath, Bill Ward and guitarist Tony Iommi

Bill Ward (born May 5, 1948, Birmingham, England), is the drummer for the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath.

Prior to the formation of Black Sabbath, Bill Ward and guitarist Tony Iommi played in a band called "Mythology", and joined vocalist Ozzy Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler, who had played in a band together called "Rare Breed". Between 1970 and 1980, Ward played drums on every Sabbath album. He left the band for personal reasons in August 1980 during a tour for the album Heaven and Hell. He sat out one album (1981's Mob Rules) before returning for 1983's Born Again. He once again left the band following the recording of that album (although he was officially back in the band again in the summer of 1984, but the band did not record or tour then). Ten years later, Ward made a brief return to the band for a tour in 1994, and rejoined the band in 1997 when the original lineup reunited for the Ozzfest tour. Ward had to skip the 1998 Black Sabbath tour due to health reasons. As was the case in 1980, he was replaced by Vinnie Appice. He returned for good in 1999 and has remained with Sabbath ever since.