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black sabbath drummer

The original and most famous Black Sabbath drummer is Bill Ward, who co‑founded the band in Birmingham in 1968–69 and played on their classic early albums.

Who is the “Black Sabbath drummer”?

  • Name: William Thomas “Bill” Ward.
  • Role: Founding member and original drummer of Black Sabbath, alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler.
  • Origins: Born 5 May 1948 in Birmingham, England.
  • Classic era: Played on key albums like Black Sabbath , Paranoid and Master of Reality , which helped define heavy metal’s sound.

His heavy, swinging, slightly jazz‑influenced style is a big part of why many fans think of him first when they search for “black sabbath drummer.”

Other notable Black Sabbath drummers

Over the years, several other drummers have also played with Black Sabbath in different eras and line‑ups:

  • Vinny Appice – Main drummer in the early 1980s during the Ronnie James Dio era (e.g., Heaven and Hell , Mob Rules tours).
  • Bev Bevan – Stepped in around 1983–84 and again in 1987, including the Born Again tour.
  • Cozy Powell – Drummer during the late 1980s period, including the Headless Cross album.
  • Terry Chimes – Briefly toured with the band in 1987 and appeared in the video for “The Shining.”
  • Brad Wilk – Recorded drums on the 2013 album 13.
  • Tommy Clufetos – Handled drums on the reunited Black Sabbath tours in the 2010s, even though he didn’t play on 13 itself.

Quick scoop style recap

  • If you mean the classic, “original” Black Sabbath drummer: it’s Bill Ward.
  • If you’re looking at later lineups or live lineups, names like Vinny Appice, Bev Bevan, Cozy Powell, Brad Wilk and Tommy Clufetos all sat behind the kit at various times.

Black Sabbath started with Bill Ward’s thunderous, swinging grooves, and every drummer after him has been compared back to that original feel.

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Who is the Black Sabbath drummer? Learn about original drummer Bill Ward and the other drummers who played with Black Sabbath over the decades, plus quick facts and timeline.

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