Original Black Sabbath coming back...maybe
(CBS) Another year, another round of OMG-the-original-Black-Sabbath-is-getting-back-together news. Lead guitarist Tony Iommi tells the Birmingham Mail, "It's all been very hush-hush. Ozzy's been the worst at trying to hold it back."
The original Black Sabbath split in 1978 after the release of its eighth studio album, "Never Say Die!" Departing singer and band co-founder Ozzy Osbourne was replaced by Ronnie James Dio and Osbourne began a successful solo career.
The original lineup, which includes Geezer Butler on bass and Bill Ward on drums, reunited in late 1997 and released a live double album, "Reunion," in 1998. They had previously played one-off shows at Live Aid and in 1992 at Osbourne's first of many retirements. Over the years, the band went through many lineup changes. Iommi is the only member to appear on each Sabbath release.
The original band last toured in 2005. Rolling Stones reports Butler put out a press release six months ago that reads in part, "I would like to make it clear, because of mounting speculation and rumours, that there will be definitely no reunion of all four original members of Black Sabbath."
Ward has had health problems for years - he suffered a heart attack in 1998 - and Iommi tells the Birmingham Mail Ward recently had an operation and may not be able to play (which doesn't make it an original lineup reunion). In the past, Vinny Appice and Mike Bordin have filled in for Ward live. For a time, Cozy Powell was Black Sabbath's drummer.