BILL WARD Hopes To Be Playing Drums Again By Mid-March

Legendary BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward has posted the following message on his official Facebook page:

"I'm re-starting the ['Rock 50' monthly] radio show [which airs on WPMD, a college radio station at Cerritos College in California] on Saturday, February, 15th, 2014.

"As many of you know, I've been in hospital for a while (our last radio show was in August 2013). I had a final operation on January 7th, 2014, and I'm very pleased to say that a positive outcome has prevailed. I'm healing slowly and surely.

"On September 18th, 2013, I thought I'd take advantage of the down time and have a right shoulder repair surgery. Four days after that surgery, I had the perforated diverticulitis.

"I'm mentioning the shoulder surgery because approximately two weeks ago, we finally started the shoulder rehab. It'll be about six weeks before the frozen joints can be workable again. I'm hoping to be playing drums by mid-March 2014. I want to start back in with jam sessions with a jazz quartet, something softer before I start slamming again.

"On January 23rd, 2014, I received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the NAMM Bonzo Bash. Again, multiple thanks to everyone who made that award happen for me. Special thanks to all the drummers at the bash, and it was great to be among the families and fans, and so many kick-ass drummers. My heart is with the students and the old-timers.

"This year on our radio show I intend to feature some of my favorite drummers. We'll have our very best of metal, but we'll also focus on hopefully surprising the listener with recordings from drummers, well-known and lesser-known. I'm trying to find rare jams, drum solos — it'll be about drummers all year long.

"Our first drummer to be featured will be the amazing Dave Lombardo (ex-SLAYER). Dave is quite brilliant, and his music will be worth listening to. I also hope to feature a couple of tracks from the early LED ZEPPELIN era with the one and only John Bonham. METALLICA, MOTÖRHEAD and Phil Anselmo will be played on the show, and I just picked up 'Light Up And Live' by HARSH TOKE, hoping to find something nice to play. Further, we'll be playing our Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper memorial.

"Happy 50th birthday, BEATLES.

"It's exhilarating to be back with the living! Check out the show if you can.

"Stay safe. Stay strong."

Ward claimed that he sat out the current BLACK SABBATH reunion because of unfair contractual terms, although the members of SABBATH have hinted in other interviews that he wasn't physically up to the task.

Ward was on board for the reunion when it was first announced in November 2011, but backed out soon after.

SABBATH has used Ozzy's regular touring drummer Tommy Clufetos since then for live work. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk laid down the drum tracks on SABBATH's new album, "13", which came out in June 2013.

(Thanks: NJthrasher)