Guitarist reveals he has early-stage lymphoma but intends to proceed with band’s long-awaited comeback
Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has cancer. The 63-year-old musician is “upbeat and determined” after being diagnosed with early-stage lymphoma, and intends to proceed with his band’s comeback album and tour.
Black Sabbath announced Iommi’s illness on Facebook, explaining he is “working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan”. “[Tony's] bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time,” they wrote. “[He is] determined to make a full and successful recovery.”
The lymphoma diagnosis comes about two months after Black Sabbath announced the reformation of their original lineup, featuring Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. The heavy-metal legends still plan to complete a new album – their first in 33 years – with producer Rick Rubin. But they will relocate recording sessions from Los Angeles to England, allowing Iommi to participate while he undergoes medical treatment.
There remains the question of Black Sabbath’s forthcoming tour, which begins in May. For now, the gigs are still on, although Iommi may not be well enough to perform. “Further information will be released as it becomes available,” the band said.
Many of Iommi’s fans and friends offered support over Twitter. “Best wishes for a full recovery,” wrote Slash. “FUCK YOU, cancer!” declared Sebastian Bach. Or as Anthrax put it: “This really does suck. GET WELL SOON TONY!”
Rock band preparing comeback album, reports suggest
More than 40 years after Ozzy Osbourne first sang about Satan coming round the bend, Black Sabbath’s original lineup may be getting back together. Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward have reportedly reunited in a “secret rehearsal studio”, with plans to record a new album and tour.
Metal Talk and the Birmingham Mail have both reported Black Sabbath’s return, with the Mail quoting a June interview with Iommi. While the guitarist criticised the report on his website, calling it “speculation”, he stopped short of denying that the band had reformed. “Thanks to the internet it’s gone round the world as some sort of ‘official’ statement on my part,” he said. “To my old pals, Ozzy, Geezer and Bill, sorry about this, I should have known better.”
In the June interview, Iommi was more forthcoming. “It’s all been very hush-hush,” he said. Although Iommi was reconciled with Osbourne last year, they didn’t begin writing together until this summer.
Just a fortnight ago, Metal Talk claimed, the group booked a date in the studio, coming together for the first time since 2006. “We’re really looking forward to it and I think the stuff we’ve been writing is really good,” Iommi said. “It’s more back to the old original stuff.”
Last year, a Black Sabbath reunion looked about as likely as an audience for Osbourne at the Vatican. The singer was suing Iommi, asking him to “do the right thing” and share the Black Sabbath trademark with the rest of the band. “I don’t think there is any chance [of a reunion],” Osbourne told Rolling Stone. But in July 2010 they buried the hatchet, and plans have apparently been simmering since then. “Ozzy’s been the worst at trying to hold it back,” Iommi said. “He’s doing a lot of TV and he’s being asked stuff about a reunion and he’s going, ‘Well I never say never.’ He told me, ‘I don’t know what to say.’”
If Black Sabbath have indeed reunited, it still doesn’t mean they will necessarily release a new album; they didn’t manage it last time. But the sexagenarian band-members have high hopes. Only Ward, their drummer, is suffering with health issues. “He hasn’t been 100%,” Iommi said. “He had [a heart] operation a few months ago, so we’ll see how he is.”
Black Sabbath have sold more than 100m albums worldwide. They were admitted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
From a heavy metal album by Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi and a bunch of guest musicians and vocalists; featuring Skin, the former lead vocalist of English band Skunk Anansie
The son of Italian immigrants,Tony Iommi picked up the guitar as a teenager, after being inspired by the likes of Hank Marvin and The Shadows. He plays guitar left-handed. In an industrial accident at the age of 17 on his last day of work in a sheet metal factory, he lost the tips of the middle and ring finger of his right hand. Iommi considered abandoning music, but his boss (who knew of Iommi’s “night job” as a pub band guitar player) encouraged him to reconsider by playing a record by jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who earned wide acclaim despite limited use of his fretting hand following an injury.
How to play Tony Iommi’s guitar solo on the tune that started it all: “Black Sabbath”. Includes solo, backing track, tab, and a detailed lick-by-lick breakdown. Download TAB and backing track from www.didkovsky.com Lesson by Nick Didkovsky. Equipment used: 1967 Gibson SG Special Krank Distortus Maximus Line 6 Flextone II Thanks to Ian Roulat for playing drums on the backing track Photos of Tony Iommi’s “Monkey” SG viewable during backing track playback at end of video.
James Hetfield from Metallica sings Stone Cold Crazy for Queen at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert with Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath on guitar also.
