Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has penned an open letter revealing that he relies on the use of a wheelchair while getting around, but vowing that he’s “not in retirement.” Ward made a triumphant return to the stage for Black Sabbath’s final show a year ago at the “Back to the Beginning” concert, but it turns out the drummer had been using a wheelchair even before that performance.
Bill Ward’s Open Letter
In his open letter posted to his social media accounts, Ward wrote that he’s reached a place where publicly more and more he needs to use a wheelchair, mostly in airports, or public events. He can still walk, but he can’t walk very far without needing to rest, meaning he needs to sit down. Bill Ward became 78 years old on May 5th, 2026, and he’s still a drummer, able to play pretty good for his age.
His talents and ambitions, and his unyielding need to be artful, and to play drums, is still as strong as it was so many years ago now. Ward is making himself public and transparent about his new transport, and letting his fans know he’s OK. If you see him in a wheelchair, he’s just catching a ride, he’s not in retirement or ill or giving up.
Health Issues and Career
Bill Ward, who ranks among Consequence‘s 100 Best Drummers of All Time, has battled various health issues over the years, which is part of the reason he didn’t join Black Sabbath on their farewell tour from 2016 to 2017. In 2013, he had a near-death medical emergency when he suffered from a perforated diverticulitis that led to multiple surgeries. And in late 2017, he was hospitalized due to heart issues.
Black Sabbath’s final show took place on July 5th, 2025, in Birmingham, England. The legendary metal band’s singer Ozzy Osbourne also bravely played the concert, only 17 days before he tragically passed away.
In conclusion, Bill Ward is determined to continue rocking until he’s dead, and he’s letting his fans know that he’s still the same drummer they’ve always known and loved, even if he needs to use a wheelchair to get around. His transparency and honesty are a testament to his strength and character, and his fans will undoubtedly continue to support him every step of the way.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
