Black Sabbath Drummer Bill Ward Thanks for Fans for Support in Conflict with Band Mates

Jason Nathanson/ABC News RadioBlack Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has issued a message thanking fans for their encouragement following his band mates' announcement on Friday that they were prepared to move forward with their reunion album without him.  A note Ward posted on his official website Saturday reads, "I just wanted to humbly thank you all.  Your support from across the world has given me further strength and hope for a positive resolve.  I have been moved and overwhelmed by the thousands of messages.  I love you all. Rock forever, Bill."

The message from Sabbath's other members -- Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler -- came in response to a long statement from Ward the previous day in which he complained about what he considers an unfair contract he's being offered to participate in the recently-announced album and accompanying world tour.  He insisted that he would sit out the reunion if he wasn't presented with a "signable" deal.

It's worth mentioning that while the note from Osbourne, Iommi and Butler announced that they would keep recording without Ward, it also declares, "our door is always open."

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