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Drum Teacher Reacts: BILL WARD | Black Sabbath - 'Sweet Leaf'

Andrew Rooney Drums

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Bill Ward’s drumming on Sweet Leaf is pure, gritty, groovy power — and the blueprint for generations of heavy music to come. 🤘

This reaction dives into his signature swing, the looseness, the fills, and that massive tone — all while laying down a foundation for what would become heavy metal.
There’s something untouchable about the feel he brought to Sabbath. It’s unpredictable, alive, and still hits HARD to this day.

As a drum teacher and lifelong Sabbath fan, I’m hyped to break it all down.

👇 Drop a comment — what’s your favorite Bill Ward performance? Should I react to more Sabbath?

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20 Comments

@AndrewRooneyDrums Creator 1 year ago Pinned

Bill Ward’s groove on “Sweet Leaf” is so raw and powerful — pure Sabbath energy!
This reaction dives into the unfiltered brilliance of one of metal’s true pioneers. 🤘
What’s your favorite Bill Ward moment — or another Sabbath track I need to check out next?

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@topherthered 3 years ago

Man, I'm not a drummer, but the vibe I get from Ward's drumming just slays.

@grahamcrichton9177 3 years ago

Bill Ward started using 2 bass drums on Master of Reality

@eddiepierce7028 3 years ago

I’m 65 years old. I was 13 when I bought this album. My dad, (RIP) asked me, “Do you know what this song is about?” I said no. His response was, “ The music might sound cool, but songs are messages. Listen, and figure out the message.” I had the coolest dad on the planet! Miss you pop.

@billbowman3413 3 years ago

How Bill Ward rarely comes to mind as one of the all time greats is criminal.
The Alex Lifeson of drums.

@thefareplayer2254 2 years ago

Honestly, when Sabbath stops the fast part and goes back into the groove again, that may be the most musically gifted thing any band has ever done.

@alaskandream4791 3 years ago

Most underrated drummer in rock...every bit as good as Bonham..

@donnelson6694 3 years ago

Bill Ward never got the recognition he deserved.

@andrewbecker3700 3 years ago

I watch just to see another person smile. The master Ward paved the way for all.

@clasmaster1471 3 years ago

It’s awesome. I can’t imagine the world without Sabbath. This stuff was groundbreaking and it still makes me feel amazing after all these years. Appreciate the video.

@alvaroresendiz6757 3 years ago

that part starting at 8:18 is the kind of things that nobody can play exactly as it was recorded

@comet1066 3 years ago

As a teenager in the late 1980s I called my local, small town rock radio station and requested this song. It made my day when they actually played it!! One of my all time favorites!

@johnmainolfi8054 2 years ago

i bought the first album in 1970 and never looked back. im now 67 years old and i will perish with BS music. as a 14 yr old kid listening to Black Sabbath first american album was incredible music change from three dog night. these 4 dudes are the foundation of heavy metal and they did it without raunch. everything they did had musicality and purpose. probably the most underrated band in history. decades later hollywood films are continue using their materials. their music will never die....NEVER SAY DIE !

@JudgeLazar 3 years ago (edited)

I've always heard that story about Tony being in the center because he wanted to be the center of attention. That's bunk, Ozzy himself has said he preferred stage right because Geezer's bass was so loud live that he couldn't hear the rest of the band and himself good enough. If you watch the 1970 show in Paris they have this lineup but Tony spends the whole show back behind Ozzy next to Bill Ward, never really taking "center" stage. You can see it again during the 1974 California Jam show. With the exception of a few solo parts Tony is pretty much always back behind Ozzy next to Bill.

Fun Fact: The name of this song came from a package of cigarettes that Geezer had and the brand catch phrase was "It's the sweet leaf!"

@aaronmcmahon7462 3 years ago

The title of the song comes from a packet of cigarettes that Geezer brought back from a holiday in Ireland - "Sweet Afton - it's the sweet leaf". Bill himself has stated he is more of an orchestrator than a drummer - as he relies on feel more than technique. He might be humble, but there is no doubt he is a beast of a drummer.

@_MUJACK_ 3 years ago

I'm a guitarist but I can't listen to Sabbath without playing air drums.

@Brian-zt9wz 3 years ago

Hail the leaf..this is so catchy and is one of their best songs on their catalog 🤘👍✌️

@andarchy1386 3 years ago

Your reaction to the middle break was priceless everything about this is amazing the bass and drums are so locked in and perfect for the simple Iommi riff