Best Drummer In Black Sabbath?

I'm kind of torn between Bill Ward and Cozy Powell.

Bill probably was/is the most underrated drummer in rock!

Bill Ward - no contest. He's from that incredible era that was lucky enough to be exposed to all the master jazz drummers...thus his palette is much wider than just a regular "rock drummer". He's in the same category as Charlie Watts, Mitch Mitchell, John Bohnam, Keith Moon, etc.

...and yes, he could be the most underrated drummer of all-time.

I give the nod to Bill as well, but w/Cozy on that list I hardly consider it a no contest!

Bill Ward...

Voted for Bill Ward.

Asking this question is like asking who's been the best bassist for Metallica. C'mon, there is no contest, Bill Ward all the way.

It's like asking who's the best guitarist for Black Sabbath.

No one is going to acknowledge Cozy as a great drummer?!

Bill Ward. Not even close!

Cozy was better. But Bill Ward equals Black Sabbath.

Best drummer for Black Sabbath? Bill Ward. Best drummer in Black Sabbath? Cozy Powell.

ultmetal wrote:

Best drummer for Black Sabbath? Bill Ward. Best drummer in Black Sabbath? Cozy Powell.

Nicely put, I'll concur.

ultmetal wrote:

Best drummer for Black Sabbath? Bill Ward. Best drummer in Black Sabbath? Cozy Powell.

that sounds about right

I love Bill and think that he is a great drummer, but I think that Vinny played just a little bit better.

spiritoradio wrote:

I love Bill and think that he is a great drummer, but I think that Vinny played just a little bit better.

Vinny was better in Dio!

How many bands did Cozy play in, anyway?

List of credits here:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:09fixqrgld0e~T4

candlemass wrote:

I give the nod to Bill as well, but w/Cozy on that list I hardly consider it a no contest!

I wasn't comparing the talent of Bill Ward with that of Cozy Powell...and I wouldn't because their styles are quite different. I was just saying that Bill Ward made the more important contribution to the Black Sabbath sound. Songs like Fairies Wear Boots, Into The Void, Supernaut, Symptom of the Universe...their weight was produced by Iommi/Butler...but the groove was Bill.

Cozy was a brilliant player, but he did his best work in other bands. (Jeff Beck, Rainbow, etc)

Bill Ward all the way, Cozy Powell was a great drummer in his own right, here is a guy's resume that runs from Jeff Beck, Yngwie Malmsteen, to of course Black Sabbath.

But for Black Sabbath as ULT stated the best drummer for them was Bill Ward.

Is this the wrong time for me to mention that I've never liked Vinny Appice?

spiritoradio wrote:

I love Bill and think that he is a great drummer, but I think that Vinny played just a little bit better.

I'm w/the MN kid. But I'll back an Appice in every poll.

Bill Ward.

ultmetal wrote:

Best drummer for Black Sabbath? Bill Ward. Best drummer in Black Sabbath? Cozy Powell.

I totally agree on that point. But I love Appice's pounding on "Mob Rules" and ESPECIALLY on "Dehumanizer". Totally classic power drumming.