BLACK SABBATH members Tony Iommi (guitar) and Geezer Butler (bass) reunited with their estrangeddrummer Bill Ward to accept the Lifetime Achievement award at this year’s Ivor Novello Awards, held earlier today (Thursday, May 21) at London, England’s Grosvenor House. Iommi picked up the trophy on SABBATH’s behalf, and confirmed the band will embark on its “final tour” next year. SABBATH accepted the award from QUEEN’s Brian May.
Ward stated: “It’s been a good 40 years. At least, I think it has.”Asked where SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne was, Iommi said: “I don’t know, I think he’s got a hospital appointment or something.”
Speaking to the press backstage after accepting the award, Ward said it was great to see Iommi and Butler again, but admitted he felt “very uncomfortable” knowing they had been touring and recording without him since reforming the band in 2011. He added: “I hope that can change.”
