10 Interesting Bill Ward Facts You May Have Not Known
William “Bill” Ward is the engine behind Black Sabbath’s pioneering heavy metal sound. However, the drummer is often overshadowed by his more famous bandmates, mainly Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne.
Therefore, in this article we want to put the spotlight on the man behind some of the most iconic drum beats in metal history. From wild pranks gone wrong to personal reinvention, Ward’s life is as dynamic as his fills.
Here are ten facts about Bill Ward that you may not have known.
1. 1940s Big bands inspired him to start playing drums
As a child, Bill Ward was captivated by the big band drummers of the 1940s. Legends like Louie Bellson, Buddy Rich, and Gene Krupa influenced his early drumming style.
As rock and jazz music evolved, he drew inspiration from players like Joe Morello, Ringo Starr, Clive Bunker, and John Bonham among others. His jazz roots gave Sabbath’s doom a unique, swinging feel.
2. Has been married four times and is the father of three
Bill Ward has kept much of his personal life private, but sources indicate that he has been married four times – living up to the rockstar lifestyle.
What’s known is that he’s a devoted father to two sons (Nigel and Aron) and a daughter (Emily), balancing family life with the chaos of the road.
3. Has released three solo albums
With three solo albums to his name, Ward has proved he’s more than “just a drummer”. His records – ‘Ward One: Along the Way’ (1990), ‘When the Bough Breaks’ (1997), and ‘Accountable Beasts’ (2015) showcase his talents as a vocalist and songwriter.
The albums, especially his debut, feature many musicians, including guest stars like Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde, and Jack Bruce.
4. Bill is a vegan and has been sober for over three decades
Ward underwent a total lifestyle overhaul, quitting alcohol, drugs, and smoking in the ’80s. He struggled with addiction for years and began to have health problems because of it, so he decided to dedicate himself to sobriety and changed his diet.
Apparently he has been sober for over 30 years, putting an end to his “rock star” lifestyle. And fun fact – veganism is something he shares with bandmate Geezer Butler!
5. He was set on fire by Tony Iommi
Black Sabbath had a reputation for pulling dangerous pranks on each other, with Bill Ward often on the receiving end. Tony Iommi once set him on fire as a joke, resulting in third-degree burns.
Another prank involved covering his body in gold paint when he was naked and passed out from drinking which almost killed him because the paint clogged his pores.
Watch Tony describe the incident himself:
6. He suffered a heart attack in 1998
Bill suffered a heart attack while rehearsing for Black Sabbath’s reunion tour. He was forced to step down from the lineup and performed just two shows on the tour. Vinny Appice was the one who replaced him for the rest of the tour, as he had previous experience with the band, playing on several albums.
The scare forced him to prioritize his health – though he would return for later reunions.
7. He loves Sunday church choirs but is an atheist
Despite being a lifelong atheist, Ward has fond memories of singing in church choirs as a kid. The harmonies moved him, even if the sermons didn’t.
It seems that his love for church choir music is purely musical rather than spiritual.
8. Can’t remember the recording of ‘Heaven and Hell’
Bill‘s substance abuse was at its peak during the recording of ‘Heaven and Hell’ – a pivotal album for Black Sabbath, marking the debut of Ronnie James Dio as the lead vocalist.
In interviews, he has admitted that he has no recollection of recording the album due to his heavy alcohol and drug use at the time. This period was also when he began experiencing panic attacks, leading to further struggles with substance abuse.
9. Health issues prevented him from playing on the last Black Sabbath album
Black Sabbath reunited in 2011 to record their final album, ’13’, but Bill Ward was unable to participate due to his health problems, mainly weight issues and a bad shoulder that required surgery, making him unfit to drum.
This led to a heated dispute with Ozzy Osbourne, with both parties publicly airing their frustrations. Bill was replaced by Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave drummer Brad Wilk.
10. Bill Ward has a monthly radio show called Rock 50
Since 2002, he has hosted Rock 50 – an internet radio show on WPMD where he spins metal, classic rock, and hard rock deep cuts.
It’s a passion project for him, one that keeps him connected to the world of music even when he’s not behind the drum kit.
Final Thoughts
Bill Ward’s legend goes beyond his time in Black Sabbath. Whether through his solo work, his radio show, or his iconic and revolutionary drumming, his impact on music is undeniable.
The life of the atheistic church choir singer inspired by jazz big bands who pioneered metal drumming is certainly nothing short of amazing. Full of drama, joy , failures, comebacks, but most importantly, always pushing forward and taking on new challenges.