Anthony Frank "Tony" Iommi is an English guitarist and songwriter best known as the founding member of pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and its sole continual member through multiple personnel changes.Iommi is widely recognised as one of the most important and influential guitarists in heavy metal music. In 2004, Iommi was ranked number one on Guitar World's "100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time", and in 2011, ranked 25th in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".On 13th October (Europe) and 1st November (United States) 2011 Iommi's autobiography was published, entitled „Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath“.On 9 January 2012, it was announced that Iommi had been diagnosed with early stage lymphoma.
Guitarist for Black Sabbath.
In grade school in Birmingham, England, used to bully the man who would later become his bandmate, Ozzy Osbourne.
Accidentally cut the tips off his middle and ring fingers on his right hand (his fingering hand, he plays guitar left-handed) in a work-related accident in 1966. Has played guitar using plastic tips on these fingers ever since.
He is the only original member of Black Sabbath to have stayed in the band throughout its numerous lineup changes.
Often tunes his guitar down to a D (from the traditional E piano tuning) or C# to get a darker sound and more depth.
Was briefly a member of Jethro Tull. He appears with them during their appearance on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus .
Was engaged to Lita Ford in the mid 1980s. During that time, he recruited Eric Singer and Gordon Copley from Litas band to play on what would become Black Sabbath s "Seventh Star" album.
His birthday (February 19) is also the anniversary of the death of AC/DC singer Bon Scott.
The only member of Black Sabbath to appear on every one of the bands albums.
The Black Sabbath album Seventh Star was actually a Tony Iommi solo album, but the record company put pressure on him to use the Black Sabbath name instead of his own (obviously to sell more copies.).
Is good friends with KISS bass player Gene Simmons.
Is close friends with Queen guitarist Brian May.
The son of Italian immigrants.
Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham was the best man at Tony Iommis wedding.
They sounded really professional because they had two Vox AC 30 amplifiers. I also had an AC 30, so when you looked at it, three AC 30s, three Fenders - bloody hell, it must be a great band!.
