Drummer Vinny Appice Says Black Sabbath Invite Would Be ‘A Hard Thing To Say No To’

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We recently had the pleasure of interviewing former Black Sabbath / Dio / Heaven and Hell drummer and current Kill Devil Hill stickman Vinny Appice. One of the topics we discussed with Appice was the current drama surrounding original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward‘s threat to drop out of the band’s reunion and the rest of Sabbath’s decision to continue without him. 

We asked Appice whether or not he would accept Ward’s spot as Black Sabbath’s drummer for the reunion if he got the call.”Well obviously it would be a hard thing to go, ‘Nah, I don’t wanna do it,’” laughs Appice. “First of all it’s not just the opportunity. I love Tony and I love Geezer. I just played with Geezer in December at a Dimebag benefit – me and him played ‘The Mob Rules.’

He continues, ‘They’re like family in a way and I know Ozzy pretty well – we haven’t played together much but it’s part of my history and part of my family, too. It would be a hard thing to say ‘no’ to. I just wouldn’t want it to affect my band [Kill Devil Hill]. If it happened we’d be have to incorporate it and make that a springboard for Kill Devil Hill too, you know? Make it work both ways.”

He adds, “I’m shocked by all the news too – I don’t know what’s going on. I thought Bill [Ward] was in and I thought it was a great thing. It’s kind of sad to see it have an issue like this. So I don’t know any more than everybody else knows. I don’t know what they’re really thinking. My main concern is for Tony [Iommi]. When I heard about [his leukemia diagnosis] it devastated me – and losing Ronnie [James Dio], you know, I’m still getting over Ronnie.”

In the meantime, rumors are swirling that Ozzy Osbourne’s drummer Tommy Clufetos might be filling in Ward’s slot if the original stickman doesn’t return to the fold.

Stay tuned for our full Vinny Appice interview, in which he talks about Kill Devil Hill, Tony Iommi and more.