BLACK SABBATH Cancels Reunion Tour as OZZY Preps Special Dates in Wake of Bad News

Due to guitarist Tony Iommi's cancer battle, the heavy metal legends have cancelled their planned reunion tour but still have plans to play one show together for 'Download Festival' at June 10 in Donnington, U.K. The new album is still on track however and singer Ozzy Osbourne has scheduled a blockbuster 'Ozzy & Friends' Tour in the meantime.

Guitarist Tony Iommi's battle with lymphoma and drummer Bill Ward's contract disputes have forced Black Sabbath into postponing their planned reunion tour. While Iommi still continues to make great progress in his recovery, Ward is at odds with the rest of the band and refuses to tour without a "sign-able contract". "At the earliest opportunity, I am prepared to go to the U.K. and record, and later tour with the band. Last week, we sent further communication to the attorney handling the negotiations to try to reach an agreement. At this time we are waiting to hear back. I remain hopeful for a 'singable' contract and a positive outcome," said Ward.

In the wake of this sad news for fans of Sabbath, frontman Ozzy Osbourne has prepped his own 'Ozzy & Friends' Tour which will include a variety of special guest musicians throughout including Zakk Wylde, Slash, Geezer Butler (from Black Sabbath) and more.

Here are the dates for the Ozzy & Friends Tour:

May 23: Helsinki, Finland (Hartwall Arena)
May 25: Stockholm, Sweden (Stadium)
May 27: Jelling, Denmark (Jelling Festival)
May 29: Bergen, Norway (Bergen Calling Festival)
May 31: Oslo, Norway (Spektrum)
June 2: Malmo, Sweden (Malmo Stadium)
June 4: Dortmund, Germany (Westfalenhalle)
June 6: Prague, Czech Rep (O2 Arena)
June 10: Donnington UK (Download Festival) -- as Black Sabbath
June 15: Vitoria, Spain (Azkena Rock Festival)
June 17: Clisson, France (Hellfest)
June 22: Dessel, Belgium (Graspop Metal Meeting)
June 24: Milan, Italy (Gods of Metal Festival)
June 26: Vienna, Austria (Stadthalle)
June 28: Belgrade, Serbia (USCE Park)
July 1: Athens, Greece (Rockwave Festival - Terra)

The original Black Sabbath lineup reunited late last year after months of speculation as Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler will release a brand new studio album produced by seven-time Grammy winner Rick Rubin in the Fall of 2012

Selling over 70 million albums together, the Grammy-winning, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees have signed a new record deal worldwide with Vertigo and Vertigo/ Universal Republic in the U.S., the band’s original label. BLACK SABBATH is now in the studio recording the as-yet-untitled new album for release in the fall of 2012 (exact date TBA). It will mark their ninth studio album together and their first since 1978’s Never Say Die!

This summer, BLACK SABBATH will headline the mammoth multi-day UK Download Festival in the U.K. on June 10.