Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward pledges to ‘keep on rocking’ despite wheelchair

Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has said despite needing to use a wheelchair he is not “ill or giving up” and resolved to “keep rocking until I’m dead”.

In a social media post, external he announced “somewhat sadly” that he more frequently needed to use a wheelchair “mostly in airports or public events”.

“I can still walk, let there be no doubt, but I can’t walk very far without needing to rest, meaning I need to sit down,” he said.

The 78-year-old from Birmingham is a founding member of the band, formed in the 1960s, alongside the late Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler.

Under the title “something new to let you know about” he shared a photograph of himself smiling while sitting in a wheelchair.

In the post addressed to “friends, fans, families and people I’ve not met yet” he explained he started using the aid about 18 months ago.