TONY IOMMI On BILL WARD Taking His Shirt Off During ‘Back To The Beginning’: I Told Him, ‘You Look Like GOLLUM’
In a recent interview that’s had fans laughing across the metal world, Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi shared a hilarious and candid memory of his longtime bandmate and original drummer, Bill Ward. The moment took place during the early days of Black Sabbath’s formation — a chaotic and creatively fertile period immortalized in the documentary Back To The Beginning — where, according to Iommi, Ward once decided to strip off his shirt mid-rehearsal, prompting a brutally honest but humorous response from the guitarist: “I told him, ‘You look like Gollum.’”
A Wild Era in Rock History
The story surfaced while Iommi was reflecting on the early Black Sabbath years in an exclusive interview with Classic Rock Magazine. As the band rehearsed what would eventually become some of the most influential songs in heavy metal history, tensions and eccentric behavior were not uncommon. But one moment stood out to Iommi — not because of any musical breakthrough, but because of Ward’s impulsive decision to go shirtless in the middle of a particularly intense jam session.
“We were deep into one of the early rehearsal nights,” Iommi recalled with a chuckle. “It was sweaty, it was loud, and Bill suddenly rips his shirt off and starts going mad on the drums. I looked over and couldn’t help myself. I said, ‘Mate, you look like Gollum!’ And we all just lost it.”
Bill Ward: A Wildcard and a Warrior
Bill Ward, often described as the heart and soul of Sabbath’s thunderous rhythm section, has long been known for his eccentric behavior — a trait that made him both lovable and unpredictable. From onstage theatrics to his occasional spiritual musings, Ward’s approach to life and music has always danced to a different beat.
Iommi emphasized that while the “Gollum” comment was all in jest, it captured the playful and often brutally honest nature of their early dynamic. “We were brothers. We took the mick out of each other constantly. But there was always love underneath,” Iommi said. “Bill was a phenomenal drummer — mad as a hatter sometimes, but always brilliant.”
The “Gollum” Comparison Goes Viral
Since Iommi’s anecdote hit the press, fans have taken to social media with memes, artwork, and reimagined video clips poking fun at the moment. A trending hashtag, #SabbathGollum, even briefly overtook metal Twitter as fans imagined Ward as the balding, rail-thin creature from The Lord of the Rings, banging away at his kit in Mordor.
Some fans even dug into old performance footage, trying to find the elusive moment. While there’s no video evidence of the incident (yet), Iommi’s story has breathed new life into Sabbath folklore, painting a vivid — if slightly absurd — portrait of the band’s offbeat beginnings.
Revisiting Back To The Beginning
The documentary Back To The Beginning has been a treasure trove of never-before-seen footage, raw rehearsal sessions, and behind-the-scenes chaos from Sabbath’s formation in the late ’60s. The inclusion of light-hearted, personal stories like the “Gollum” moment adds a human touch to a band often defined by darkness, gloom, and thunderous riffs.
“I think people forget we were just a bunch of kids mucking about at first,” Iommi noted. “There was no big plan. We didn’t set out to invent heavy metal. We were just doing what felt right, and sometimes that included Bill flashing us unexpectedly.”
Ward’s Reaction: A Laugh and a Nod
While Ward hasn’t commented directly on Iommi’s “Gollum” quip, those close to the drummer say he took it in good humor. A longtime friend and collaborator of Ward’s confirmed, “Bill knows how Tony is — he probably laughed his head off. They’ve given each other stick for decades. It’s part of what kept them grounded through all the madness.”
Indeed, Ward’s self-awareness and humility have been key to his enduring popularity among fans. Known for his poetic musings and raw openness about personal struggles, Ward has never shied away from poking fun at himself — or embracing the quirky moments of Sabbath’s past.
The Legacy of Brotherhood
Beyond the humor, Iommi’s anecdote about Ward underscores a deeper truth about Black Sabbath: that beneath the sonic fury and occult image was a tight-knit group of friends. Despite the ups and downs, the reunions and falling-outs, the essence of Sabbath was always rooted in camaraderie.
“These moments, as silly as they are, they’re part of our story,” Iommi said. “You remember the riffs and the records, sure. But what sticks with you most are the laughs.”
As fans continue to pour over Back To The Beginning for more glimpses into the chaotic magic that birthed heavy metal, stories like this remind us that behind every monster riff and haunted lyric were just four young men — one of whom, apparently, looked a bit like Gollum without a shirt.
Headline Flashback:
“Tony Iommi Mocks Shirtless Bill Ward: ‘You Look Like Gollum’”
Back To The Beginning delivers more than just Sabbath history — it delivers unforgettable laughs.
By: Tseaa Ferdinand
Date: July 10, 2025
