In a heartfelt response following poignant remarks from fellow bandmates Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler, Bill Ward, the founding drummer of Black Sabbath, has shared his first thoughts since the passing of Ozzy Osbourne. Through his post on the social media platform X, Ward reflected on their shared memories, posting a nostalgic photograph of himself alongside Osbourne. In his emotional tribute, he wrote, “Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls; no, you’re forever in my heart. My deepest condolences to Sharon Osbourne and all family members. Rest in peace. I sincerely regret this loss to all the fans. It’s never goodbye. Thank you forever. Bill Ward.”

Reflecting on Bill Ward’s Journey with Black Sabbath

Back in 2011, Bill Ward was excitedly announced as part of the lineup for a farewell reunion tour alongside the founding members of Black Sabbath. The legendary heavy metal band was also gearing up to create new music together. However, a contract dispute tragically led to Ward stepping away from the reunion plans before they even began. This decision marked a significant turning point in his career and the band’s trajectory.

Meanwhile, the remaining trio—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler—moved forward to record their studio album 13, with Brad Wilk from Rage Against the Machine stepping in on drums, while Tommy Clufetos, who was part of Ozzy’s solo band, took care of the touring. This lineup change was a defining moment for the band, showcasing their resilience in the face of challenges.

In early 2017, Black Sabbath played what was intended to be their final show, yet Bill Ward did not rejoin the group for this poignant farewell. Following a series of health issues that affected Ozzy, he expressed a desire to return to the concert stage and even floated the idea of a reunion in 2024. He openly shared that his greatest regret was that Bill Ward was absent from their last performance.

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By early 2025, it was announced that Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward would reunite for one final concert titled Back to the Beginning, marking their farewell tour. This emotional concert took place on July 5 in their hometown of Birmingham, England, and concluded with a powerful five-song solo set from Ozzy, followed by a four-song finale with Black Sabbath.

Setlist Highlights from Black Sabbath’s Emotional Final Performance

The grand finale commenced with an exhilarating five-song solo set by Ozzy Osbourne, captivating the audience with iconic tracks like “I Don’t Know,” “Mr. Crowley,” “Suicide Solution,” “Mama I’m Coming Home,” and “Crazy Train.” Each song resonated deeply with fans, marking a significant moment in rock history.

Following his solo performance, Ozzy was joined on stage by his legendary bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, where they delivered a powerful four-song set that included classics such as “War Pigs,” “N.I.B.,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid.” This performance was not only a celebration of their storied legacy but also a poignant farewell to their loyal fanbase.