Black Sabbath icon Bill Ward has given fans a somber update on his health, almost a year after the death of his former bandmate Ozzy Osbourne.
The 78-year-old British drummer revealed on Wednesday that he now relies on a wheelchair for much of his mobility.
Ward posted a picture of himself using the mobility aid and paired it with an extended message, stressing that he is “not in retirement or ill or giving up.”
He also urged supporters not to hesitate if they spot him out and about, telling them: “I don’t bite, I’ll just look different.”
The Daily Mail has contacted Ward’s representative for comment.
The rock veteran began his message by writing: “Something New To Let You Know About. 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.”
Almost one year after the death of bandmate Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath legend Bill Ward, 78, has issued a “sad” health update, telling fans he is now using a wheelchair to help with mobility
Ward formed Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler in 1969; pictured from left, Butler, Iommi, Ward and Ozzy in the 1970s
‘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,’ he went on.
‘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.’
Ward added: ‘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.’
He wrapped up his post, writing, ‘Rock forever and ever, Bill Ward,’ before adding, ‘And the secrets we hide, can be dangerous to our health, I’m letting transparency prevail, with love and progression.’
Fans immediately flooded the comments with supportive messages, with one writing, ‘You’ve redefined rock music sitting down behind the kit so sitting down and earning a well deserved rest on the chair seems very appropriate.’
The iconic drummer shared a lengthy caption to his Instagram on Wednesday, along with a photo of himself on the mobility device
Ward assured fans he is not ‘ill’ and encouraged them to keep coming up to him in public places to say hello, stating: ‘I don’t bite, I’ll just look different’; Seen with Osbourne in 2011
‘I’ll keep rocking until I’m dead,’ he added in his post; Pictured (bottom left) circa 1970s
Fans immediately flooded the comments with supportive messages, with one writing, ‘Those feet have been the backbone of heavy music for 57 years, they need and deserve a rest’
The announcement comes nearly a year after Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, passed away on July 22 from an ‘acute myocardial infarction’ and ‘out of hospital cardiac arrest.’ He was 76; Seen in 2022
‘Those feet have been the backbone of heavy music for 57 years, they need and deserve a rest here and there,’ another added.
‘Bless you @billwarddrummer! Sitting, standing, walking or drumming, you are one of the greatest of all time! Hope to see you at a show sometime soon again, legend!!!’ someone else wrote.
‘The fact that he describes himself as “A drummer ” is such a humility display. You’re not a drummer sir, you are the drummer,’ yet another fan added.
‘Sending the best to you Bill, you’re a legend!’
‘You’re nothing but the best. You rest all you want. So deserved after all the years of touring being the backbone of the best Heavy Metal band ever. Your influences have gone worldwide.’
The announcement comes nearly a year after Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, passed away on July 22 from an ‘acute myocardial infarction’ and ‘out of hospital cardiac arrest.’ He was 76.
Osbourne was laid to rest on the grounds of his own mansion in Buckinghamshire during a private funeral attended by his family and a host of rock royalty.
The rocker said goodbye to fans at his ‘final encore’ just weeks before his death as he performed to thousands of fans at Birmingham’s Villa Park on July 5, where he reunited with his bandmates Ward, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler one last time.
With hits that included Iron Man, War Pigs and Paranoid, Black Sabbath’s pushing of occult themes proved both hugely popular and controversial; Ward seen on the drums in 1973
Ozzy quit the band in 1978. While Ward initially departed the lineup in 1983, he continued to make occasional appearances over the decades before joining the band one last time for the final Black Sabbath show in 2025
With hits that included Iron Man, War Pigs and Paranoid, Black Sabbath’s pushing of occult themes proved both hugely popular and controversial, with a future pope even condemning Osbourne for his ‘subliminal satanic influence’.
Ward co-founded the heavy metal band alongside Ozzy, Iommi and Butler in 1969.
By 1970, Black Sabbath – originally going by the name of Earth – had gained a huge following in the US and UK with the release of their first album.
Ozzy quit the band in 1978. While Ward initially departed the lineup in 1983, he continued to make occasional appearances over the decades before joining the band one last time for the final Black Sabbath show in 2025.
