Black Sabbath’s Bill Ward Opens Up About Using a Wheelchair: ‘I Can Still Play Pretty Good for 78’

Iconic Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward is getting candid about his recent health adjustments, reassuring his devoted fanbase that despite a change in how he navigates public spaces, his passion for rock remains as fierce as ever.

In a heartfelt Instagram update shared this past Thursday, the 78-year-old musician revealed he has begun utilizing a wheelchair for public appearances. Titling his message “Something New To Let You Know About,” Ward addressed his followers with characteristic transparency.

“To my dear friends, fans, and family,” Ward wrote. “I am sharing this truth with you today: I have reached a point where I require a wheelchair for airports and public events. While I am still fully capable of walking, I simply cannot cover long distances without needing to sit and rest.”

The legendary percussionist explained that he has been adapting to this transition over the last 18 months, a necessity that has become more frequent since celebrating his 78th birthday in May. “I was an avid long-distance walker in my time, and I am still a drummer,” he noted. “I can still hold my own behind the kit for a 78-year-old.”

Addressing potential misconceptions, Ward was quick to clarify that this mobility aid does not signal an end to his career. “My drive, my ambition, and my artistic need to play the drums are as potent as they were decades ago,” he emphasized. “If you spot me in a chair, I’m simply catching a ride. I’m not retiring, I’m not giving up, and I’m certainly not finished.”

Ward concluded his message with a vow to keep the music playing indefinitely, opting for radical honesty over privacy. “Secrets can be detrimental to one’s health, so I believe in choosing transparency, progression, and love.”

This update follows a period of reflection for the drummer, who reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates roughly a year ago for frontman Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert in Birmingham, England. Shortly after that momentous occasion, the music world mourned the loss of Osbourne, who passed away at 76 due to cardiac complications.

As a founding member of the heavy metal pioneers in the late 1960s, Ward helped cement Black Sabbath’s legacy on the Billboard 200 charts with seminal records like Master of Reality and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. His resilience continues to be an inspiration to the rock community worldwide.

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