Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has announced he will use a wheelchair for the foreseeable future but that he is not done with the music industry yet. Ward co-founded Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Tommy Iommi in 1969. Ward would feature on the band’s final studio album and performed at the Back to the Beginning show, which marked Osbourne’s final performance before his death in 2025.
Ward has since issued a health update confirming he can still walk, but is using a wheelchair for longer trips. He also confirmed he had no plans to retire and that he was “pretty good” for a 78-year-old. A statement from Ward was issued to his X account earlier this week.
It reads: “Dear Friends, Fans, Families, and people I’ve not met yet. I’m announcing today somewhat sadly but nonetheless truthfully, that I’ve reached a place where publicly more and more I need to use a wheelchair, mostly in airports, or public events. I can still walk, let there be no doubt, but I can’t walk very far without needing to rest, meaning I need to sit down.
“We started using the wheelchair about 18 months ago, mostly in airports. I became 78 years old on May 5th 2026. I was a long distance walker, I’ve walked in many different parts of the world, and I’m still a drummer. I can still play pretty good for 78 years old.
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. I’m just saying if you see me in a wheelchair, I’m just catching a ride, I’m not in retirement or ill or giving up, or any of those thoughts that ignite when we see people in wheelchairs.
“I’m making myself public and transparent about my new transport, and letting you know I’m OK. If you see me in the airports or visiting friends in the music arenas or theatres say hi, I don’t bite, I’ll just look different, as pictured here. Much love to you all and I’ll keep rocking until I’m dead.
“Rock forever and ever, Bill Ward. And the secrets we hide, can be dangerous to our health, I’m letting transparency prevail, with love and progression. Bill Ward.”
The veteran drummer has previously suffered two heart attacks, one in 1998 and a second in 2017. Ward spent a month recovering from his 1998 heart attack, which happened during rehearsals for a Black Sabbath tour. Iommi and Osbourne previously confirmed that Ward has been sober for 30 years, giving up drugs and alcohol and adapting a vegan diet since the 1980s.
Ward has released solo albums alongside his work with Black Sabbath. His most recent solo release was the 2015 album, Accountable Beasts.
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