Oh boy, grab your tissues and get ready for a feels trip, because Bill Ward is talking about his dearly departed buddy Ozzy Osbourne and I’m already sobbing into my beer 🍺. The legendary Black Sabbath drummer paid tribute to Ozzy on his LA Radio Sessions show with Mike Stark, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a little dusty-eyed just thinking about it. I mean, who wouldn’t be? It’s been over a year since the Prince of Darkness left us, and it still feels like a kick in the gut. Ward said, “Ozzy forever. That’s what I wanted to say today. [He is] dearly missed. We’re in the month now, the anniversary, of his passing, and I wanna say his music was just brilliant. Whatever he’s participated in musically, it’s all been brilliant. His voice is eerie. It’s scary. It’s passionate. It can cross all boundaries. It’s timeless.” Wow, thanks for making me cry, Bill.
So, what happened? Well, Bill Ward was on the radio, and he started talking about Ozzy, and… yeah, it’s just really sad, okay? He said that Ozzy was like a brother to him, and that he misses him every single day. I mean, can you blame him? Ozzy was a legend, and his music still holds up today. I’m not gonna lie, I’ve been listening to “Crazy Train” on repeat all day, and I’m not tired of it yet. But, I digress. Bill Ward also talked about how much he loved Ozzy, and how he never wants to let him down. Aww, Bill, you’re making me feel all the feels again.
The Tribute
But, let’s get back to the tribute. Bill Ward said some really beautiful things about Ozzy, and it’s clear that he’s still hurting from his loss. I mean, who wouldn’t be? Ozzy was a huge part of Black Sabbath, and his music has touched so many people. It’s not just about the music, though – it’s about the memories, the emotions, the whole experience. And, let’s be real, Ozzy was a bit of a wild card, so there are probably some crazy stories that we’ll never even hear about. Anyway, Bill Ward’s tribute was really touching, and it’s clear that he’s still grieving. But, hey, at least he’s not alone, right? We’re all still grieving, too.
And, because I’m a masochist, I started thinking about Ozzy’s final performance at the “Back To The Beginning” charity concert in Birmingham. I mean, what a way to go out, right? Playing with the original Black Sabbath lineup, doing all the classic songs… it’s just perfect. And, of course, Ozzy being Ozzy, he had to do it his way, too. I mean, who else could pull off singing while seated on a black throne? Only Ozzy, folks. Only Ozzy. The setlist was amazing, too – “War Pigs”, “Iron Man”, “N.I.B.”, and “Paranoid” are all classics, and it’s just incredible that we got to see them played live one last time.
Bill Ward’s Update
In other news, Bill Ward recently announced that he’s become more reliant on his wheelchair over the last 18 months. And, because I’m a terrible person, my first thought was, “Oh no, Bill’s getting old!” But, seriously, it’s great that he’s being open about it, and that he’s still planning to keep on rocking. I mean, the man is 78 years old, and he’s still playing drums – that’s just incredible. And, hey, if using a wheelchair means he can keep on playing, then that’s just fine by me. As Bill himself said, “My talents and ambitions, and my unyielding need to be artful, and to play drums, is still as strong as it was so many years ago now.” That’s the spirit, Bill!
And, finally, I just want to say that it’s great to see Bill Ward being so transparent about his health. I mean, it’s not always easy to talk about this kind of stuff, but he’s doing it with class and dignity. So, the next time you see him rolling around in his wheelchair, just remember – he’s still the same Bill Ward, and he’s still got it. Rock on, Bill, rock on. 🤘
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
