By Gregory AdamsThe Black Sabbath reunion went sour last week when drummer Bill Ward announced he wouldn't participate because of reportedly unfair contract issues. And while the rest of the group have promised to go on without him, fans are standing by their Iron Man through a new online petition.
A Facebook campaign titled 1,000,000 Black Sabbath fans say yes to Bill Ward was created yesterday (February 8), and its intent is to rally behind the metal percussionist in order to get him back in the band.
"We all feel that any Black Sabbath Reunion must include original drummer Bill Ward," reads the simple mission statement.
So far, the group name is a bit of a misnomer, but in just roughly 36 hours, more than 30,000-plus devotees have joined the campaign.
Rock Guitar Daily blogger Tony Conley started up the page and can't believe the outpouring of support for Ward. Like many metalheads, he's hoping the fan-driven support system will bring both sides of the split back together.
"What we really want is for one of the three remaining Sabs to tell us exactly what is, and what has happened," he posted. "Let's get Bill back in the fold, and move on with 2012."
Despite the crusade, Conley does seem realistic that the petition may not sway the band to bring back their original skin pounder. There seems to be little hard feelings towards the rest of the band, just hopefulness towards a true reunion, and Conley expressed much well-wishing to lymphoma-stricken six-stringer Tony Iommi.
"Whatever happens between Bill Ward and Black Sabbath, let's all take a moment and have some good thoughts, feelings, mojo, prayer, whatever it is you do, and let's all serve them up to the health of Tony Iommi. All else be damned, let's send some healing thoughts Tony's way, OK?"
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-02-09 15:06:21A full reunion was announced. It would be a shame if the band does not bring the Black Sabbath saga full circle with all original members onboard for what will probably be 'the last supper'.
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-02-09 18:01:58Thanks, Gregory - that is by far the very best summation of our page I have seen!! Kudos to you, sir, for doing it right :)
Tony Conley
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-02-09 18:24:21Black Sabbath with Bill Ward! Give him a sighnable contract that he deserves!!!!
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-02-09 20:42:17Come on guys, work it out for old times sake. It means so much to your fans. XXX000
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-02-09 22:17:01Sharon Osbourne tweeted this yesterday:
My question to you all: What's the one thing you'd like to see more of on @TheTalk_CBS? #TalkLiveChat
Why doesn't everyone here who's on Twitter send:
We'd like to see more of @billwarddrums on @TheTalk_CBS? #TalkLiveChat
Bombard her twitter account :)
Posted by bob stone jr. On 2012-04-09 16:50:33BLACK SABBATH WITHOUT BILL WARD ON DRUMS IS JUST PLAIN SACRILEGIOUS...WHAT TRUE BLACK SABBATH FAN WOULD WANT ANYONE BUT BILL DRUMMING ...THAT WOULD BE LIKE REPLACING TOMMY IOMMI !!!!!
Feb 09 2012
SHARE IT! 
Posted by Nameless Poseur On 2012-02-09 15:06:21A full reunion was announced. It would be a shame if the band does not bring the Black Sabbath saga full circle with all original members onboard for what will probably be 'the last supper'.
