News
Tony Iommi gets his second Ivor Novello Award
Tony Iommi, together with his mates Geezer Butler and Bill Ward accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Ivor Novello Awards, held on Thursday, May 21 at London, England's Grosvenor House. It's actually the second Ivor Novello Award for Tony, he got his first one in 2003 for the Best Selling UK Single "Changes".
Tony Iommi picked up the trophy on Black Sabbath's behalf, and confirmed the band will embark on its "final tour" next year. Black Sabbath accepted the award from Queen's Brian May - Tony's best friend.
Bill Ward stated: "It's been a good 40 years. At least, I think it has." Asked where singer Ozzy Osbourne was, Tony Iommi said: "I don't know, I think he's got a hospital appointment or something." Speaking to the press backstage after accepting the award, Ward said it was great to see Iommi and Butler again, but admitted he felt "very uncomfortable" knowing they had been touring and recording without him since reforming the band in 2011. He added: "I hope that can change."
Given each year, The Ivors, presented by the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters in association with The Performing Rights Society (PRS), are given to celebrate British songwriting and acknowledge the music of the previous twelve months. Now in its 60th year, is the only British awards ceremony which specifically honors the songwriter.
Congratulations, dear Tony! Your fans are immensely happy for you! You deserve millions of awards!
Blabbermouth.net, 22 May 2015
Tony Iommi talks about Great Lefty Tribute!
Our dear Master Tony posted on his Official website and social networks this statement and a Facebook Video few days ago:
" A big thank you to everyone involved in the album, whether you’re a player or not. I’m flattered and honoured to have this done by genuine fans not a label. I’d heard something was going on but wasn’t expecting anything this big. There are so many of you it’s impossible to mention the complete list, but great to see old band mates Tony Martin and Vinny Appice getting involved and Mike Exeter producing. Although I understand she doesn’t want to take credit I don’t think it would have happened without Rosie Piergiorgi, and I’m really pleased that she chose to help Macmillan Cancer Support. Go buy a copy, 20 tracks, great value and a good cause! And, please let us know your favourites."
Watch Tony's video below:
We, Tony Iommi Fan-Tastic team, and all Iommi fans around the world, thank dear Tony from the bottom of our hearts!
Our beloved Master! This tribute was done because YOU are the greatest Man, Master and Genius who ever walked on stage. Because YOU have a kindest caring and loving heart, and angelic soul. Because you GAVE the world so much, that even you don’t realize. You are a Man who changed the world. Millions and millions of fans know that. You gave people inspiration, happiness, you gave them reason to live, you saved the lives. You must read fan stories every day on the fanpages, they are truly special. You DESERVE so much giving back, that nobody would ever be able to do. You are Eternal Idol to millions of human hearts! Heil Tony Iommi God Creator of Metal! We love you! \\m//
THANK YOU TONY FOR BEING THE MOST BELOVED MAN IN ROCK, AND A GREATEST CLASS ACT EVER!
12 May 2015
Pre-teen kid band Under The Radar plays Sabbath
Under The Radar, a band made up of three Memphis pre-teens, are threatening to set the internet on fire with a pair of cover versions, says Classic Rock in the recent news.
The young trio — bass player Matt Ireland (11 years old), guitarist Zeke Yarbro (also 11) and drummer Ryan Halcomb (12) — performed Rush's instrumental classic YYZ and Black Sabbath's War Pigs during a set supporting AOR legends Kansas in Southaven, Mississippi.
We Iommi fans are extremely happy to see new generations being raised on a true musical culture, and drive the engine of Black Sabbath Legacy! Go forward little metalheads! You are future of Sabbath! Rock on!
Classic Rock, 12 May 2015
Great Lefty: Live Forever! Tribute to Tony Iommi Godfather of Metal
Tanzan Music and TonyIommiFantastic.com together with Facebook communities “Tony Iommi the Man, the Master, the Legend” and “Global Black Sabbath Convention” released the compilation tribute in honour of Black Sabbath's true heart and soul, legendary Riffmaster Tony Iommi on May 4th.
The first ever tribute to Birmingham’s Legend is titled "GREAT LEFTY: LIVE FOREVER! TRIBUTE TO TONY IOMMI GODFATHER OF METAL”
The compilation is an act of solidarity towards Tony from Pals & Fans. The tribute includes participations from well-known artists, the best Black Sabbath tribute bands from all around the world, and the bands and solo artists "children of Iommi" as having Iommi's music as their major influence. All the songs were kindly donated for the cause. The profits from compilation sales will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Some of the artists participating are: Dario Mollo (Tony Martin, Voodoo Hill) featuring Mark Boals (Savoy Brown, Malmsteen, Dio Disciples, Dokken), Mario Parga (Mario Parga Band, Graham Bonnet, Forcefield, Cozy Powell's Hammer), doom legend Victor Griffin (Pentagram, Death Row) with his current band Place Of Skulls, Giuntini featuring Tony Martin.
Also appearing is a young talented artist Kyle Cousins, singer and songwriter, huge Iommi Fan, who also happens to have autism. He began his journey with autism at two years old by losing all his language. Through years of intensive intervention he has made continual progress; so much so that now he loves nothing better than to express himself onstage through his music.
Cousins champions the autism awareness movement, being a source of hope and inspiration for the autism community. Kyle Cousins expresses his love and admiration to Black Sabbath's guitar legend, performing a song with Vinnie Appice (former Sabbath and Heaven and Hell drummer), Barry Goudreau (guitarist for Boston), Hugh McDonald (David Bromberg, Alice Cooper, Bon Jovi, Lita Ford).
The Sabbath highlight Heaven And Hell was recorded at a special charity session in Tony Iommi’s honour by multiplatinum superproducer Damon Elliott and Michael Politz at Damon Elliott Group Studios in Las Vegas.
Grammy awarded sound engineer and producer Mike Exeter (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Tony Iommi, Cradle of Filth etc.) is also involved to the realization of the project.
The tribute is a gift to Tony Iommi – the most beloved man in rock - from a great community of his fans, a way to show him admiration, love and support.
Tracklist Disc 1
1. Dario Mollo featuring Mark Boals - Never Say Die (3:54);2. Maniac Rise - Time Is Mine (5:05);3. Kyle Cousins - Heaven And Hell (6:16);4. Mario Parga - Scarlet Pimpernel (5:13); 5. Children Of The Gravy - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (5:40);6. Ironlung featuring Wizard Of Ozz - Electric Funeral (5:03);7. Tanzan Music Academy - Neon Knights (4:45); 8. Nick Didkovsky - Orchid (1:38);9. Darking - Law Maker (3:35);10. Into The Void - Loner (4:40);
Tracklist Disc 2
1. Rekuiem - Paranoid (3:17);2. Place Of Skulls featuring Victor Griffin - You Won't Change Me (6:43);3. Black Sabbath Dio Tribute Cz - I (5:10);4. Phil Jakes - Behind The Wall Of Sleep (2:47);5. Giuntini - Anno Mundi, featuring Tony Martin (6:14);6. Tony Reed - Live Forever (4:44);7. Kill Van Kull - No Stranger To Love (5:13);8. Aplanadora featuring Santiago Cabakian - Hole In The Sky (4:20). 9. Blood Sabbath - Snowblind (5:33);10. Phenomena - The Wizard (4:10);
Watch the video footage “Heaven And Hell Behind the Scenes” and other videos below:
The Great Lefty album is available from these links:
UK market -- both physical CD and digital download versions on Amazon.co.uk;
USA market -- digital download on Amazon.com;
-- physical Cd on cdBaby;
THANK YOU IOMMI FANS! ALL HEIL MIGHTY MASTER TONY!
7 May 2015
New Epiphone Ltd. Ed. Tony Iommi Signature SG Custom
This year at Musikmesse 2015, Epiphone hosted a special appearance by Tony Iommi, the legendary lead guitarist for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legends Black Sabbath. Iommi appeared at the Epiphone Booth and previewed the new Ltd. Ed. Tony Iommi Signature SG Custom.
Later this summer, Epiphone will formally announce the new Ltd. Ed. Tony Iommi Signature SG Custom, which will be Tony's second signature guitar for Epiphone. It features the historic SG profile--now a Tony Iommi trademark--with a Mahogany body finished in beautiful gloss Ebony. The Mahogany neck has a 1960's SlimTaper™ D- profile and a black graphite nut and the Ebony fingerboard has Pearloid "Cross" inlays with white binding and a Tony Iommi signature on the back of the headstock.
For his Ltd. Ed. signature SG, the "Godfather of Heavy Metal" chose Gibson USA's Tony Iommi Signature Humbuckers in both the lead and rhythm positions. Production will be limited to 2,000 guitars and each will include a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity along with a binder and photograph of Tony Iommi. An optional hard case is also available.
"This guitar sounds like I want it to sound on stage," said Tony Iommi. "I play it at home in the studio as well. It uses my signature pickups, which we worked on for quite a while over the years. It's got a great fretboard with a really nice feel. And, it's just a really classy looking guitar."
Epiphone.com, 28 April 2015
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Giuntini and Tony Martin on Great Lefty tribute to Tony Iommi
Guitar Hero Aldo Giuntini, well known to all us metalheads, author of GIUNTINI PROJECTS and legend Tony Martin, participants on Great Lefty: Live Forever tribute to Tony Iommi with the remastered version of Anno Mundi!
Giuntini's guitar mastery, his awesome tone and heaviness, the bass of Fulvio Gaslini, drums of Ezio Secomandi, keyboards of Dario Patti and the Voice of TYR and Headless Cross, so dear to Sabbath heart!
Stay tuned Sabbath fans!
Sabbath Legacy forever!
Tony Iommi forever!
See more and check out audio samples and preorders on TanzanMusic.com
25 April 2015
Photo Aldo Giuntini
Dario Mollo and Mark Boals to Tony Iommi: Never Say Die!
Italian guitar hero Dario Mollo (Crossbones, The Cage projects, Tony Martin, Woodoo Hill, Don Airey, Glenn Hughes) and American singer Mark Boals (Savoy Brown, Yngwee Malmsteen, Dio Disciples, Dokken), together with drummer Ezio Secomandi, bass player Andrea Maiellano, keyboard player Dario Patti -- participants on Great Lefty: Live Forever tribute to Tony Iommi, with a mind blowing version of Never Say Die!
PREORDER & get a special bonus POSTER HERE!
Stay tuned for 4 May, Iommiacs!!!
22 April 2015
Photo Dario Mollo, Mark Boals
Tony Iommi illuminated Frankfurt's Musik Messe
Tony made an appearance at this year's Musik Messe in Frankfurt on Friday April 17th. Tony is endorsing two new products, from long term partners.
A completely revamped Iommi Epiphone SG and an Iommi Laney TI15-112 combo amplifier. They've both been created with huge input from Tony, and he presented both products at the Messe. A great number of fans gathered in the queues at Epiphone and Laney stands, chatting and shaking hands with the Mighty Master. Tony was in great physical form, full of energy and visibly happy to greet his die hards. Every fan was immortalized with a photograph with The King of metal himself, and received a picture of Tony with the authograph. Mike Clement, Tony's guitar technician and long term collaborator was also present at the presentation.
Tony Twitted: "Thanks to everyone who came to the Frankfurt Music Show, I’m truly sorry that I couldn’t stay longer, we had a limited time, and were amazed at how many of you came. Hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to see more of you another time. Best wishes, Tony."
21 April 2015
Photos by Lorraine Parker and Iommi.com
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Pentagram Legend Victor Griffin and his current band Place Of Skulls on Great Lefty tribute to Tony Iommi
Cult figure in heavy metal, pioneer of stoner and doom Victor Griffin (Pentagram, Death Row, In-Graved, Cathedral, Joe Hasselvander etc) with his current band Place Of Skulls, including Lee Abney, Tim Tomaselli, Travis Wyrick and Julius Blue, participants on Great Lefty: Live Forever tribute to the Godfather with a very personal interpretation of Iommi's guitar masterpiece You Won't Change Me.
Stay tuned for 4 May, Iommiacs!
14 April 2015
Tony's health update: "I'm fine"
Tony Iommi has reassured Black Sabbath fans that he hasn’t suffered a setback in his cancer battle, after rumours exploded yesterday.
The speculation was fuelled when Sabbath reported that their farewell show, announced for Japan in November, would not take place, and that frontman Ozzy Osbourne would perform with his band of friends instead.
Tony Iommi says via Facebook: "Thank you for all the enquiries about my health, very kind. I’m not sure how the rumour of my being unwell started as I was away on holiday! Once you’ve had something like lymphoma the fear that it will return never leaves, all I can say is that right now I’m fine and have regular blood tests."
In January he admitted there was a 70% chance his cancer would return, saying: “Every day I feel around for lumps and bumps. It’s horrible. I even dream about it – but that’s my life now. Sometimes I wonder if I should try to live a more peaceful life. Then I think, ‘I don’t want to let the illness take over.' After all, I enjoy where I’m at now.”
Meanwhile, despite Ozzy’s wife and manager Sharon Osbourne having announced the final show herself, a spokesperson for the band tells Rolling Stone: “Although there have been discussions about a farewell tour, nothing has been confirmed.”
Sabbath are expected to record their last album in the coming months, with the possibility of drummer Bill Ward’s return not ruled out.
Tony is expected to appear at Frankfurt's Musikmesse in Germany, on Friday 17, presenting his new Epiphone Iommi signature model guitar, that will be on sell this summer. Tony is actually very busy working on this issue with Epiphone luthiers and management.
Classic Rock, 10 April 2015
