Brief Review on Drummer Bill Ward

Drum Lesson Tip by instructor Ilios Steryannis

The next influential drummer that I’d like to discuss is Bill Ward from heavy metal’s greatest band, Black Sabbath.  He wasn’t as technically proficient as Bonham or Paice, and his groove was a little shaky at times, but he made up for it in sheer ferocity.  The first Sabbath album I owned was a compilation called “We Sold Our Soul For Rock ‘n’ Roll”.  It came out in 1975, and contains many great Sab classics like “Iron Man”, “War Pigs”, “Paranoid”, “Children Of The Grave” and “Fairies Wear Boots”.  Ward’s drums sound downright MEAN on many of these songs, which is a funny contrast with the man himself.  He is one of the sweetest, most gentle people you could ever meet, as I found out meeting him backstage after a Sabbath reunion concert in 1999.  Bill’s drumming was very colourful, incorporating a cowbell on “The Wizard”, and a variety of percussion on “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”.  You can hear him singing on a few Sabbath tracks like “Swinging The Chain” (from the album “Never Say Die”) and “It’s Alright”, (from “Technical Ecstacy”).  He later led his own band called Ward One, singing and playing other instruments.

Watch this incredible 1970 clip of War Pigs to get a good idea of Bill’s powerful drumming style:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtqy4DTHGqg

Elite Music Academy offers private drum music lessons for students of all ages and different skill levels in Toronto. Lessons are offered in rock, jazz, blues, pop, contemporary and R & B. For a free drum lesson please contact the main desk at 416 406 53555 ext 1.