Original Black Sabbath Drummer Has Surgery

Original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward underwent surgery recently after suffering from perforated diverticulitis, a very serious gastrointestinal condition in which the walls of the intestine have become perforated. According to Blabbermouth, the procedure was successful, with Ward expected to make a full recovery over the next several weeks. As a result, an October 26th reception at the Annapolis Collection Gallery in Maryland -- where Ward was scheduled to discuss his fine art debut collection, "Absence Of Corners" -- has been postponed.

Ward was originally announced as part of Black Sabbath's reunion album and tour in late 2011, but bowed out in early 2012 over a contract dispute.

Although Ward never specified what his issues were, the other members of Sabbath -- most notably singer Ozzy Osbourne -- later hinted that Ward was not physically up to the task of performing live.

It was rumored that Sabbath wanted to bring a second drummer on the road to share duties with Ward, which he allegedly balked at. Ward said in one interview that he "would never, ever show up for a commitment that I could not do physically."

But Ozzy told the New York Daily News, "I don't think (Ward) could have done the gig, to be honest. He's incredibly overweight. A drummer has to be in shape. He's already had two heart attacks. I don't want to be responsible for his life."

Sabbath used Rage Against The Machine drummer Brad Wilk for the recording of its 13 album, while Tommy Clufetos has been the live drummer.