“If you know how to rock, you don’t have to shock.” Famous words from Marc Bolan and the T. Rex song “Shock Rock.”

Bill Ward, famed drummer of the best metal band on planet earth (yes, Black Sabbath), agrees with the above sentiment. In a interview for Clash Music, Ward gives his advice on how to survive being in a band. We can only assume that after coming out on the other side of numerous tours, drinking and drugs, that he knows a thing or two about how to last.

Number one Bill Ward rule is you don’t have to be cool; distance yourself from the distractions man.

Here’s an excerpt from the Clash Music article:

On being fit: “As a drummer I totally recommend looking after your bones and muscles. Years ago, there was a university that wanted to stick a load of sensors all over me to check what I was doing during a set. It turns out I was doing the equivalent to running 15 miles a night in a one and a half hour concert.”

Jesus. But if you watch him hit those drums, the 15-mile bit doesn’t seem like such a stretch at all. Watch Bill and company tear it up in this 1970 live performance of “War Pigs.”