Want to Own Some of Bill Ward’s Drum Gear? Here’s Your Chance!
Now that Black Sabbath has reached “The End,” drummer Bill Ward — who hasn’t been with the group, anyway, since 2012 — is selling off a big batch of his gear.
Ward has launched a Reverb.com site where he’s selling more than 200 pieces he used in the studio and on the road; The “shop” opens Wednesday (June 28) with the hand-painted kick drum head he used on Black Sabbath’s 1973-74 world tour, more than 150 signed and dated drum heads, signed and dated sticks the cymbals Ward used on Black Sabbath sessions from 1968-71, a seven-piece Ludwig drum set Ward received as a birthday present, hand percussion instruments and more.
In a statement Ward says that, “Whoever gets this gear will get good karma. I really hope the new owners will be able to feel the energy of it. Of course, I’m going to miss all of the gear — there’s some really nice history here — but if these items are going to drummers who will use them, than that warms my heart.”
Things have been frosty between Ward and his Sabbath mates in recent years, however; He parted ways with the group four years ago, reportedly over finances, as it was gearing up to record its final album, 2013’s 13, and tour to support it.
The group members have traded harsh words in the media ever since, and Ward was also not invited to take part in Sabbath’s farewell The End Tour that wrapped up in early February.
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.
