Symptom of the Universe is the greatest riff of all time

Black Sabbath’s classic 1975 track Symptom Of The Universe features the greatest riff of all time, according to the new issue of Metal Hammer magazine. Metal Hammer asked some of metal’s most proficient players to name their favourite riffs – and Tony Iommi's slab of Sabotage majesty saw off all competition to climb to the top of the 50 best.

Zeal & Ardor’s Manuel Gagneux says: “Symptom Of The Universe further cements Tony Iommi as a riff machine! The palm-muted opening notes get their unmistakable sheen from the thin strings he uses. This song debuted elements that are still echoed throughout the heavy music landscape.” 

Speaking to Metal Hammer, Sabbath icon Iommi says that back in 1975, he wasn’t in competition with anyone else when it came to riffs… except himself.

He adds: “I would always try to come up with more and more inventive ideas – different tunings, changing the amps, just fiddling about with the guitars really. I would constantly be trying to improve things and change things. I didn’t really listen to other people, just in case I started playing someone else’s riff by mistake.” 

Loudersound.com, 12 July 2018

Tony Iommi opens a new cancer unit at Solihull hospital

Solihull Hospital’s new £2.2 million chemotherapy unit officially opened its doors on first days of July 2018.

The unit, which will improve provision for cancer patients, will be known as the Solihull Haematology and Oncology Day Unit. It has been designed specifically with patient needs in mind and will offer a more peaceful and comfortable environment. The unit will have its own entrance and garden area. Solihull Hospital Charity have played a huge part in getting the unit ready for patients, by fundraising for state-of the-art equipment and 24 comfortable treatment chairs.

Black Sabbath guitarist, Tony Iommi cut the ribbon with with Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme and University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust’s Chief Executive, Dame Julie Moore at the Haematology and Oncology Day Unit on Tuesday (July 3).

Tony and Carl were then taken on a tour of the new facilities by Dr Manos Nikolousis, consultant haematologist and clinical director for haematology and oncology, and were given the chance to meet patients and staff to find out what they think about the new unit.

Sarah Mason for Solihullobserver.co.uk, 4 July 2018

Review of Tony Iommi's appearance at Town Hall in Birmingham

"Do you know Tony Iommi?" - asks our friend and fellow Iommifan Howie Jarrett: "Well if you were fortunate enough to have a ticket to 'An Evening With Tony Iommi' at Birmingham town hall last Saturday night then the answer would be a resounding yes!

He didn't play, but there were some really cool photos and rare footage displayed on the screen before he came out on stage. The second of these events I have been to, Tony was charming, funny, engaging, candid and Frank (geek pun!) as always and a pleasure to listen to. He told many stories and imparted details of events which are now firmly seated in the folklore of Rock and Roll history. He also answered questions that were sent in by the audience online in the days leading up to the show. The question master was his good friend and a familiar face to any sports fans among you, veteran TV presenter Gary Newbon. A very good night was had by everyone in attendance and all proceeds went to charities which Tony himself endorses. There are not many Rock and Roll Hall of Fame level celebrities that do this type of intimate event and I highly recommend going to one if you have the chance to do so."  

Big thanks to Howie for the great review, and lets see what exactly Tony said that night in Birmingham.   It started with a few questions about Black Sabbath...

“Who?” replies Tony Iommi dryly.

He may have a reputation as being the dark guitar icon of heavy metal legends Black Sabbath, who back in the day were rumoured to be linked to Satanism and the occult, but Tony Iommi certainly has a wicked sense of humour – and a brilliantly down-to-earth Brummie attitude. His endearingly playful nature has seen Tony spring all manner of pranks on his friends and bandmates over the years – some of which have gone terribly wrong, and others which are just plain hilarious.

Among those that went awry was when the band painted drummer Bill Ward gold, which accidentally caused him to have convulsions. He also set up pyrotechnics around Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan’s tent while they were staying at Richard Branson’s house, which, when they went off, did so with such a bang they caused a blast to travel straight through Richard’s lake – causing his prize fish to float to the top. One less unfortunate but very funny tale was when devilish Tony sent his friend, footballer manager-turned Sky pundit Trevor Francis, to see death metal band Lamb Of God, claiming they were similar to classic rock idols The Eagles.

“When I sent Trevor to see Lamb Of God, I was in stitches,” laughs the Aston-born star. “He came up to the show with me in the car. I said to him ‘you might like the other band – they’re like The Eagles’, as he’s a big fan of theirs. We were in the dressing room and I said to him ‘that band will be on in a minute’, so off he went. He came back looking like he’d been through a hurricane, with his hair all over the place. He said ‘blimey, they were swearing a lot’. He’s used to me though; I play him up.

There are hundreds of tales. So many I forget some of them. But I do love to wind up people like Trevor because he’s so gullible. I’ve got him time and time again.

“When we brought Cozy Powell into the band, we’d been friends for many years. He was as bad as I was for playing tricks on people, so we used to have so much fun together.”

Even without his interference, Tony and the band have some unbelievably comical tales from their days of touring as one of the world’s biggest rock bands which he fondly refers to as ‘Spinal Tap moments’. “The once, we were all due to come up through the stage using hydraulics. And Ozzy got stuck – all you could see was his head poking up above the stage,” chuckles Tony.

“We couldn’t get him up either, so eventually he had to be cranked up manually. So many things used to happen when we were on the road.
“I remember doing Madison Square Gardens with Dio. We had this big digital cross – it was a huge thing, which all lit up and would then set on fire at one point. Dio made such a big thing of it and it was the first time we’d ever used it. There was so much anticipation and then, when it lit up, there was just this tiny little fizz that came out instead of flames.”

Though he is no longer on the road with Sabbath after the band played their final live shows on The End Tour in 2016 and 2017, Tony keeps himself occupied saying he ‘likes’ to be busy. As such, the star has gone back to an old hobby many could only dream of – collecting cars.
“It’s almost like I’m making up for lost time now – my wife thinks I’ve gone completely mad,” quips Tony, - Back in the 70s, I used to collect cars but I sold them because I was working so much. It’s quite fun really. I’ve bought four or five new cars lately. I don’t know why, but I’m just fanatical over them. Maybe I’m just going mad.”

He’s also begun writing music again and, though he gave little away, said he has started ‘putting some ideas down with an engineer’. Tony also says a project with fellow rock icon, Queen guitarist Brian May could happen and hopefully will, - "He’s been up here a couple of times. Every time we talk to each other we discuss it,” he says, - "It’s something we’d both really enjoy doing, it’s just a case of getting round to it.”
Tony also says he’s been busy meeting up with friends for food, saying: “I’ve never been to so many dinners and lunches in my life. I’ll end up like The Blob this time next year.”

Life is far tamer for Tony now in comparison to the wild early days with Sabbath – not only when it comes to the lifestyle, but also the fans. As the band was widely believed to be involved with the occult, they would even get ‘witches’ and satanists at their shows, meaning Tony and the guys often got more than they bargained for.

“Some of the fans have been really weird,” laughs Tony, - "Over the years, we used to get letters sent in. One chap was especially weird – he used to send in pictures to me of himself naked. I couldn’t believe it had gotten through to me; it had gone through our office in LA. I thought ‘what is this?’. He was some fanatic satanist. Needless to say, that went straight in the bin. We got used to it over the years. We don’t get it now, it was mainly in the early days.”

And though the Aston-born guitar star says 'it's hard to say what the result would have been like without drugs', he admits the narcotics and alcohol certainly took a 'toll':

"With regards to the changes in line-ups, things may have been different if we’d not taken drugs," explained Tony, - "In Ozzy’s case certainly - and Bill of course had issues with alcohol. When the band first broke up it was because we couldn’t relate to each other any more. Everybody was on a different planet. It was hard. We also had bad periods with management."

The metal legend, who now lives in Worcestershire, also says he believes the band's music was influenced by his working in a factory; with the industry of the second city feeding into the group's sound. He says the disadvantaged area of Aston made the band work all the harder to succeed too - with the hopes of moving on to something better. 

"The things that went on in Aston were things none of us wanted to be involved in, but it was where we lived and we couldn’t get out," added Tony, - "I worked in a factory and I think the industrial side of all that did have an influence on the music. It also made us work harder because none of us wanted to be there. We really wanted to pursue our passion for music. I won’t just accept things. I’ve had to battle all my life against different things."

The most recent battle Tony has been faced with was his lymphoma diagnosis back in 2012. And though he now says he feels a lot better, having kept on top of the disease with regular check-ups and treatment, it means the star struggles when it comes to touring: "I feel fine now. But I never like to say brilliant," said Tony, - "I do have periods in the day when I have to just stop for 30 minutes and have a sleep, which was difficult when on the road. But when you get to our age it does become difficult. That’s why I stopped; because it’s also not good for me to fly as it affects my cells, due to the blood cancer. I really liked playing with the band and I miss being on stage with them. But unfortunately things happen that way."

Tony’s tremendous tales of rock and roll in an intimate show at Birmingham Town Hall were great!. When asked about the event the day before, the guitar icon laughed: “Yeah, I’m not doing it.

“No, I’m really looking forward to it. It’s going to be brilliant.“

That our Prankster! 

Expressandstar.com, 26 June 2018

Tony won the Kerrang 2018 Icon Award!

The Aston-born guitar legend picked up the award at the Islington Assembly Hall ceremony in London last night.

Tony, who is credited with effectively inventing heavy metal with his innovative sound and unique playing style, won the accolade after the magazine's readers cast their votes in his favour during 'an open process', says Kerrang!. The 70-year-old icon reportedly received a standing ovation when he collected his award at the end of the night.

"Thanks to Kerrang! for a great night and the ‘Icon’ Award, it’s an honour to receive it. We’ve worked together for a long time and their support is always appreciated," - said Iommi.

He has once again said that he agrees with singer Ozzy Osbourne that the band should play the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. He told Planet Rock on the red carpet of the Kerrang! Awards in London, on Thursday, 21 June 2018: "I haven't spoken to Geezer about it, but I know Ozzy wants to do it and I'm up for that. I think it's great. We're from Birmingham and if we can represent Birmingham and they ask us, that's great. If we can still play by that time. And if we're still here."

Tony also suggested that he might return to making music soon. Asked about his upcoming plans, Tony said: "I'm going to carry on playing, but I've been taking it easy, you know, just to figure out what and pick things that I want to do as opposed to… You know, when you do a tour you have to go out there for a year, 18 months, so that time's gotta be taken. But now I don't have to do that, and I can pick and choose what I want to do. So, I've been doing a lot of charity stuff, and eventually I will start writing and putting some stuff together."

Blabbermouth.net, 19 June 2018

Tony is returning to Town Hall for a evening with Gary Newbon

Following his sellout show in 2016, the legendary guitarist Tony Iommi is returning to the Town Hall in his native Birmingham, for an amazing evening talking about his life and career, hosted by his good friend Gary Newbon. 

Tony will be answering a select number of questions on the night. Please send us your questions via tweet using #askiommi2018 or email marketing@thsh.co.uk. 

Tony said: "I'm really looking forward to being back at the Town Hall again - I had a great time last time and I'm ready to talk more about my experiences and answer some of your questions."

Earlier today, an article on Birmingham Mail appeared, citing both Iommi and Osbourne enthusiastic to open the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. Both legends stated they would love to get the band back together to open the Games. There will be a major showpiece ceremony to open the 2022 Games secured by the city featuring music, story-telling, song and dance. And Sabbath, who played their farewell gig at the Genting Arena in February last year, would be willing to re-form for the momentous event.

“Yeah, that would be fantastic,” says Ozzy, who closed this year’s Download Festival at Castle Donnington last weekend, - "with Black Sabbath or on my own. I’d like to do that. We’re all Brummies after all.”

Guitar hero Iommi agrees: “I think that it would be a great thing to do to help represent Birmingham. I’m up for it! Let’s see what happens!”
Both have, however, always insisted that they might get the band back together for a ‘one-off’ event if the occasion was suitable. Iommi adds: “I seem to be busier than ever, so I won’t call this retirement. I love playing live, and I will continue to do so."

Thsh.co.uk, BirminghamMail.co.uk, 17 June 2018

Tony Iommi to appear at Whitley Bay Film Festival in August

Tony Iommi, world's most heavy acclaimed lead guitarist, will be the guest at a screening of the band's landmark documentary "The End Of The End" on 19 August 2018 at the UK's Whitley Bay Film Festival. The movie's celebrated director Dick Carruthers will also be a guest. The rock music weekend takes place at The Exchange in North Shields, hosted by the Whitley Bay Film Festival and presented by music historian and author Chris Phipps.

Selling over 100 million records worldwide, Tony Iommi has forged his place in music history as the "Master of Metal." Festival director Ema Lea said: "We're hugely honored to welcome such a legend as Tony Iommi. His music has been massively influential and popular, particularly to people in the north-east. Tony will be talking about his life and times and the importance of the documentary which captures the band's homecoming final gig."

Chris Phipps said: "The band took their name from the Boris Karloff 1963 horror classic film 'Black Sabbath', directed by Mario Bava. They were intrigued by the fact that people actually paid to be frightened — as would their audiences for decades to come!"

This Tony's appearance in a cinematographic world is particularly great for his most devoted fans - Tony deserves to be known in every field of art, as the founder and trailblazer. 

Blabbermouth.net, 15 June 2018

Black Sabbath announces the "Supersonic Years" singles box

Despite a run of legendary hit singles in the 1970s, Black Sabbath and the seven-inch single format didn't always sit well together. After the release of their debut single, "Evil Woman", in 1970, followed by their ultimate explosive chart success with "Paranoid", the band was not comfortable with the confines of the mainstream pop format and the audience it brought to the group, leading to their now-legendary self-imposed ban on releasing singles in the early '70s.

"We didn't intend to make a single in the first place," said Tony Iommi to the Disc And Music Echo in 1971. "But after we'd completed the album, the 'Paranoid' track was sufficiently short to be a 'trailer' for the LP. We really didn't expect it to do anything at all. We don't go into the studio to make singles. We make LPs only. But if there is anything suitable as a result of the recordings, it would be considered, of course."

Black Sabbath's music was vast, expansive and heavy; not the kind of vision that can be easily shackled to the three-minute pop format. Record Mirror ran a story in November of 1970 stating that "Sabbath have decided to place a 'ban' on singles in the future. Their hit, 'Paranoid', as far as they are concerned is their first and last single. They will also oppose any attempt to draw singles material from future albums."

The ban on singles in their own country lasted for more than two years, and good to their word, no singles were issued from 1971's "Master Of Reality", but in 1972, as a harbinger from fourth LP, "Vol 4", "Tomorrow's Dream" was issued as a 45 and from then on a steady run of singles followed that showed that, despite Sabbath's initial dislike, many of their songs did lend themselves well to the format.

"Supersonic Years - The Seventies Singles Box Set", released June 8 through BMG, documents the band's run of hit singles as never before and features an array of unique content.
* This limited-edition box set includes five rare single edits: Iron Man / Sabbath Bloody Sabbath / Am I Going Insane (Radio) / Hard Road / Symptom Of The Universe. * 10 unique color picture sleeves from around the world, either ultra-rare or exclusive to this box set. * Remastered by renowned engineer Andy Pearce. * New liner notes booklet detailing the rarities contained within the box set, along with the story behind the birth and evolution of the most culturally important genre of all time.
The box set features the following singles:
Disc 1: Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games With Me) / Wicked World - 1970
Disc 2: Paranoid / The Wizard - 1970
Disc 3: Iron Man (Single Edit) / Electric Funeral - 1970
Disc 4: Tomorrow's Dream / Laguna Sunrise - 1972
Disc 5: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Edited Version) / Changes - 1973
Disc 6: Am I Going Insane (Radio) (Single Edit) / Hole In The Sky - 1975
Disc 7: Gypsy / She's Gone - 1976
Disc 8: It's Alright / Rock 'N' Roll Doctor - 1976
Disc 9: Never Say Die / She's Gone - 1978
Disc 10: Hard Road (Single Edit) / Symptom Of The Universe (German Single Edit) - 1978
Pre-order "Supersonic Years - The Seventies Singles Box Set" here.

Blabbermouth.net, 3 May 2018

Charity lunch for Tony and his fans - great success!

Tony’s charity lunch in support of the cancer ward at Heartlands Hospital revealed itself as a great success. Tony had a one hour Q&A session and  provided signed items for a raffle. Happy fans were at seventh heaven, this was really an incredible evening. 

This exclusive lunch with rock legend Tony Iommi at Opus Restaurant on 20 April 2018 was only the first one from few planned for this year. Tony had conversations with guests, and told stories from his life and career with Black Sabbath, touring the world with one of the biggest bands of all time.

Tony published the following information on his social media:

"Many thanks to everyone who came to the lunch yesterday, you raised over £23,000! The money will go towards equipping the new cancer ward. You’re real fans and special people. Tony

P.S. Thanks to Brenda Romero for this lovely photograph from the event. L-R: Gary Newbon (the interviewer), myself, Maria, Dr Paneesha, & Dr Nikolousis."

Tony is Patron of Ward 19, the dedicated cancer ward at Heartlands Hospital and is supporting the Charity's campaign to raise £150,000 for an extension of cancer services at Solihull Hospital. This unit will increase the amount of cancer patients who can be treated by 170%, reducing waiting times, reducing stess and creating a calm and relaxing atmosphere for patients. 

Iommi.com, Photo Brenda Romero, 21 April 2018 

The Gospel According to Tony Iommi

He’s the proud Brummie who plays songs about the devil but has guardian angels. He’s had success and fame beyond most people’s wildest dreams, selling millions of albums and playing to millions of fans with a band who are one of the founding father of heavy metal, and setbacks that are the stuff of nightmares, including being diagnosed with cancer. He is also truly a legend.

Always believe in the impossible

I lost the tips of two fingers in an accident on the day that I was due to leave my job in a sheet metal factory to turn professional. I was only seventeen years old, and the doctors told me there was no point in trying to continue playing the guitar. But I wouldn’t give up and eventually I found a way. All through my life I’ve had that same attitude. If band members left, then I never gave up. You find somebody else and you carry on. And eventually of course we all came back together.

I’ve no idea where those riffs come from. I’m just grateful that they do. They come out of the air; I don’t sit down and work them out. They just arrive. It’s all very strange. I can sit down and two or three different riffs will come along in ten minutes. Some of them will be crap but most are usable. I’m useless at most other things, but if there’s one thing I can do in life then it’s write riffs.

The last Sabbath show was weird

The feeling built as we crept towards to the final gig at the Genting Arena, but it didn’t really sink in ‘til the day of the show. Looking out at the audience during the last few songs, people were crying. Those people idolise you and love what you do. In a way it felt like we were letting them down. It was a shame.

Sabbath’s earliest gigs were crap

How we got from those days to what the band eventually became, I’m really not sure. We would play places where nobody was interested. Or we’d turn up and people would think that we were playing pop, when of course we weren’t. I recall a gig at a place called the Toe Bar in Egremont and this bloke shouted out: “Your singer’s crap.” That was really embarrassing. Of course, we improved as the years went by, but we certainly had to teach people – and ourselves – about what we were doing, because it was so different. It was a very steep learning curve.

Has anyone got the Black Zeppelin tape?

We were really good mates with Led Zeppelin, especially Robert Plant and John Bonham who came from the Midlands. Zeppelin had wanted us to be on their label, Swan Song, but we couldn’t make it work out. During the recording of the Sabbath Bloody Sabbath album [1973], Zeppelin came into the studio for a jam. John wanted to play Supernaut [from the previous year’s Vol 4] but we jammed instead. We were in the middle of recording so it fucked up the session. I know that it was recorded, and I’d love to hear it. The tape must be around somewhere.

Let’s revive corporal punishment

At school I was caned – a lot. For me it was a mistake to do away with all of that, because levels of discipline are suffering. If you do wrong, then you should be punished. It’s how we develop our morals. Now there’s almost no difference between right and wrong.

Ghosts exist. I know because I’ve seen several

It wasn’t just me, all of us saw the one at Clearwell Castle [in Gloucestershire]. Sabbath had hired the place out so there was nobody else there. We were rehearsing in the dungeons. Coming up the stairs we saw this figure go into the armoury. Ozzy and I asked: “Who’s that?” We went into the armoury and nobody was there. But the room had just one door and no windows. We looked everywhere, including under the table in case someone was winding us up, but there was nobody. It was all very peculiar.

I believe in God – of sorts

That statement may be a shock, given the subject matter of so many of Black Sabbath’s songs, but I believe in a god – whatever god it is. I definitely believe in angels, because three of them saved my life when I was in my late teens. I’d just passed my driving test and was in my sports car driving on a dual carriageway. I had just overtaken another car when two tyres blew out. I went off the road, the MG flipped over and I hit a tree. I passed out, and when I awoke I smelled petrol but I managed to get out, and as I did so I saw those angels. To this day I really believe they were there; I wasn’t stoned. It’s been said that they saved me for a purpose, because I went on to invent heavy metal. And you know what? I quite like that idea.

The body is just a vessel

When I was much, much younger I used to astrally project. I got really into it. The first time I left my body it was quite frightening. I jumped straight back in again. The best time to do it was just before you go off to sleep. I used to do it a lot – hover about my body, looking down at myself. I tried it again some years later and was quite disappointed to find that I was no longer able.

The 1990s were not much fun for me

At the end of the 1980s, Sabbath made some music that I consider good, including The Eternal Idol [1987] and Headless Cross [’89], but Forbidden [1995] was really crap. We were pushed into a corner. Somebody at the record company suggested we work with Ice-T. My reaction was: “Who the hell is he?” But we met up and he was a nice bloke, and also a big fan of Sabbath. Ernie C [Body Count guitarist] ended up producing Forbidden, which was a terrible mistake. Ernie tried to get Cozy Powell to play these hip-hop-style drum parts, which, quite rightly, offended him. You don’t tell Cozy Powell how to play drums. In the 1990s there were a lot of line-up changes and it became hard to drive Sabbath onwards. But I’m very determined – you don’t split up the band just because somebody leaves. Find a replacement. Get on with it. I still believed in the band.

Someday I’d love to restore Born Again

That was the album we made with Ian Gillan [in 1983]. It sounded great in the studio, but there was a problem with pressing. It would be great to fix it up. But you know what? The tapes have disappeared into the Don Arden [former manager] pit. We’ve found about five tracks, the rest are all missing. Such a shame.

Black Sabbath – By Appointment

Being a part of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations [in 2002] was very weird but a wonderful experience. After Ozzy and I had played, we were invited to Buckingham Palace for a drink – supposedly for fifteen minutes, but it didn’t turn out like that – and Harry and William complained: “You didn’t play Black Sabbath!” It seems they are big fans. And so was [then-Prime Minister] Tony Blair. While I was talking to him, Ozzy came over to ask me something and didn’t even acknowledge Blair. When I introduced them, Ozzy didn’t even say a word. After he’d gone I had to apologise: “Sorry, Tony. Ozzy’s always like that.” And it’s true. There are so many examples. My wife and I had lunch with him and Sharon at the Beverly Hills Hotel. These two blokes came over to say hello, and one of them was [actor] David Arquette. And at the top of his voice Ozzy asked: “Who the fuck’s that?” How embarrassing, and funny [laughs], but that’s typical Ozzy. You’ll never change him.

I’m proud to be a Brummie

The place has changed such a lot. Ozzy and I were honoured by the city’s Walk Of Stars [in 2008], but when they asked where I wanted my star to go I didn’t know anywhere. The places I was familiar with had been knocked down, it was a bit embarrassing. In front of the NIA was the best I could think of. But I’m very proud that in a musical sense Sabbath did a lot to put Birmingham on the map. Many years ago you’d tell people you came from Birmingham and they’d ask: “Is that in London?” I’ve no idea why the place inspires like it does. Sabbath and Priest are from there, also half of Zeppelin. And don’t forget The Move. Maybe it’s something to do with being industry-based, but it’s the birthplace of a wide variety of sounds.

Get yourself checked out

I still miss Ronnie James Dio every day. On tour with Heaven And Hell he complained of pain. Ronnie said: “I’m bloody sure I’ve got cancer.” And he left it too late to it looked at by a doctor. To anybody reading this, if in doubt, do yourself a favour and see a professional right away.

Since my cancer scare I’m a different person

When your life threatens to come to an end, it really, really changes you. I was wondering: “Will I still be here next year?” We had to work around my condition when recording and touring but everyone in the band understood. That’s why touring had to stop. For me it’s always been about the band. I wanted a little time for myself to see friends and just to do other things. On paper I should have time on my hands now, but with this [promoting the The End Of The End concert film] I’m as busy as ever. Offers are pouring in to work with other bands and do whatever might come next. I’m still going to play.

Good friends are very important

I’ve been mates with Brian May for many years. He came to my house six weeks ago. He stayed till about midnight. We were still sitting around and talking. Could we do a project together? Well, we’ve discussed it and you never know…

Old age has mellowed me

In my youth I was much more intense. I was headstrong and perhaps I used my fists a bit. But I was put in the position of running the band, which I really didn’t want, and it was a very pressurised situation. Now I’m calm. I don’t think I have anything left to prove.

Dave Ling for ClassicRock, 3 February 2018

Tony returns to his "Evening at Town Hall" with Gary Newbon

Tony invites all his fans to "An Evening With Tony Iommi" - Saturday 23 June at 7:30 PM. 

Tony published on his social media this message: 

"Following his sellout show in 2016, the legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi is returning to the Town Hall of Birmingham for an amazing evening talking about his life and career, hosted by Gary Newbon. We'll have video screens this time and Iommi merchandise.

"I'm really looking forward to being back at the Town Hall again - I had a great time last time and I'm ready to talk more about my experiences and answer some of your questions. - Tony."

You can get more info and BUY THE TICKETS TO THE EVENT HERE.

Iommi.com, 27 March 2018