Tony Iommi, Black Sabbath’s guitarist, shared humorous anecdotes about drummer Bill Ward’s shirtless performances in a recent interview with SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk.
A particularly memorable incident occurred during a band rehearsal break. Ward’s shirtless appearance had an unexpected effect on his bandmates’ appetites.
“Oh my God. I’ll tell you what, one funny story,” Iommi said. “When we had a break on one of the rehearsals, we went in to eat at the studio, and Bill got his shirt off, and Geezer was just about to have a sandwich. He went, ‘Oh, Bill put your shirt on. You’re putting me off the sandwich.'”
The guitarist explained Ward’s consistent behavior throughout their career. He drew an amusing comparison between the drummer and a fictional character.
“But it’s typical Bill. He is always taking his shirt off every time,” Iommi continued. “I mean, in the old days, he’d always take his shirt off. I said to Bill, ‘Blimey, Bill, you look like [ancestral Hobbit] Gollum.’ And I don’t think he knew who Gollum was.”
Iommi reflected on Ward’s carefree personality and the band’s enduring dynamic.
“He’s always always been the same, Bill. He just doesn’t care,” he said. “He goes on and does what he wants, which is great. That’s always been Bill. And immediately, of course, all the jokes started again as soon as we were together, having a go at each other. It was really fun, actually. It was great. The communication carried on from years ago.”
Playful banter has defined Black Sabbath’s decades-long relationship. However, some of their past pranks led to serious consequences.
The Jerusalem Post revealed a dangerous incident from 1972. During the recording of “Vol. 4,” the band covered an unconscious and naked Ward in gold DuPont paint. The prank nearly became fatal when Ward suffered a seizure from the paint blocking his pores. He required immediate medical attention.
Historical documentation from Ward’s biography details another notorious incident. Iommi set Ward on fire with lighter fluid during a studio session. The prank resulted in third-degree burns and hospitalization. Iommi later regretted his actions despite initially finding them amusing.
Black Sabbath’s tour archives documented Ward’s commitment to his signature style. During a 1999 Chicago concert, observers described the drummer as “beer-keg-shaped” and bare-chested, maintaining his characteristic stage presence.
The band’s camaraderie has remained strong throughout their career. Their irreverent humor and roughhousing became fundamental elements of Black Sabbath’s legacy.
