Bill Ward reveals wheelchair use but insists he is still a drummer
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Black Sabbath's founding drummer Bill Ward has publicly confirmed that he increasingly relies on a wheelchair to get around, while insisting that he remains "still a drummer" and has no intention of giving up his instrument. In a statement posted to Facebook on Thursday 9 July, the 78-year-old described the announcement as one he made "somewhat sadly but nonetheless truthfully", explaining that he needs the wheelchair mostly at airports and public events. The disclosure is notable given Ward's status as a pioneering figure in heavy metal and his long association with Black Sabbath.
Ward stressed that he can still walk, but is unable to cover long distances without needing to stop and rest. He said he began using the wheelchair around 18 months ago, primarily in situations involving significant walking. Despite the mobility difficulties, he was clear that his identity and commitment as a drummer remain unchanged.
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Black Sabbath, formed in Birmingham in 1968, is widely credited as one of the founding bands of heavy metal, and Bill Ward was its original drummer, playing on the band's classic early albums alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler. Ward left and rejoined the group at various points over the decades, and although he did not take part in Sabbath's final reunion shows, he remains a well-known and respected figure in the band's history and in rock music more broadly.
Ward, now 78, has continued to speak publicly about his health and his ongoing connection to drumming and to the Sabbath legacy. Mobility issues become more common with age, and public figures sometimes choose to address changes in their physical condition directly, particularly when their public image has long been tied to a physically demanding activity like drumming.
This background matters for understanding why any statement from Ward about his health or his ability to play attracts attention from fans and the music press, given his standing as one of the genre's pioneering musicians.
More coverage
- BBC Entertainment — Black Sabbath drummer explains wheelchair use
- Consequence — Black Sabbathu2019s Bill Ward Reveals He Uses Wheelchair But Vows Heu2019s u201cNot in Retirementu201d
- Blabbermouth — BLACK SABBATH Drummer BILL WARD Reveals He Is Confined To Wheelchair: 'I'm Not In Retirement Or Ill Or Giving Up'
- Rolling Stone — If You See Black Sabbathu2019s Bill Ward in a Wheelchair, You Should Smile at Him: u2018Iu2019m OKu2019
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Originally published by Louder as ““I’m just catching a ride, I’m not in retirement or ill or giving up”: Black Sabbath’s Bill Ward declares he’s “still a drummer” despite needing to use a wheelchair”.