Bill Ward
Bill Ward is Black Sabbath’s founding drummer, a singer and songwriter whose solo recordings and radio shows keep fans close to the music he loves.
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Latest
Bill’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Overview
- Born
- May 5, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, England
- Known for
- Founding drummer of Black Sabbath; singer and songwriter
- Breakout
- Black Sabbath and Paranoid, both released in 1970
- Beyond Sabbath
- Solo albums and music radio with Mike Stark
Mini bio
How it started.
Born in Aston, Birmingham, Bill began playing on boxes at three, moved to drums at seven and was gigging by fifteen. His early musical world included big band jazz, blues and rock and roll. He played in the Rest and Mythology before Black Sabbath.
Finding Sabbath.
Bill, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne formed Black Sabbath in 1968. Their first two albums, Black Sabbath and Paranoid, arrived in 1970. Bill’s drumming became part of songs including “War Pigs” and “Iron Man.”
His own voice.
Ward One: Along the Way arrived in 1990 with Bill on drums, percussion and vocals, plus guest appearances including Ozzy Osbourne. When the Bough Breaks followed in 1997, with Bill handling vocals and writing the lyrics and musical arrangements. Accountable Beasts came out in 2015.
Still sharing music.
In 2025, Bill returned to radio with Mike Stark and reunited with Sabbath’s original lineup for their farewell at Villa Park. By 2026, he was discussing more solo recordings and continuing to share music through LA Radio Sessions.
Creditschronological, newest first
- 2015Accountable BeastsSolo artist
- 1997When the Bough BreaksVocals, lyrics and musical arrangements
- 1990Ward One: Along the WayDrums, percussion, vocals, lyrics and musical arrangements
- 1976Technical EcstasyBlack Sabbath drummer; lead vocals on “It’s Alright”
- 1970ParanoidBlack Sabbath drummer
Awards
Quotes
Music has always brought me through.Bill Ward, official website welcome message
In his welcome to fans, Bill reflects on the place music has held in his life.
Trivia
- His childhood drum heroes included Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson.
- He sings “It’s Alright” on Technical Ecstasy and “Swinging the Chain” on Never Say Die!
- His preferred Ward One cover is the black version from the album’s second pressing.
Find Bill
Follow Bill for music, radio shows and messages to fans.
Are you Bill Ward?
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