51 Facts About Tony Iommi

Anthony Frank Iommi was born on 19 February 1948 and is a British musician.

Tony Iommi co-founded the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and was the band's guitarist, leader and primary composer and sole continuous member for nearly five decades.

Tony Iommi was ranked number 25 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time".

On his last day of work in a sheet metal factory, as a teenager, Tony Iommi lost the tips of the middle and ring fingers of his right hand in an accident, an event which crucially impacted his playing style.

Tony Iommi briefly left Black Sabbath in 1968 to join Jethro Tull, but did not record any material with the band, and subsequently returned to Black Sabbath in 1969.

In 2000, he released his first solo album Tony Iommi, followed by 2005's Fused, which featured his former bandmate Glenn Hughes.

In 2011, Tony Iommi published his autobiography, entitled Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath.

Tony Iommi was born in Birmingham, the only child of Italian immigrants Sylvia Maria, who was born in Palermo and Anthony Frank Tony Iommi.

Tony Iommi's mother ran the shop while his father was a carpenter by trade.

At age 8 or 9, while being chased by another boy, Tony Iommi fell and cut his upper lip.

At about age 10, Tony Iommi began working out and learned Judo, Karate, and later Boxing as a means of protecting himself from the local gangs which congregated in his neighbourhood.

Tony Iommi envisioned a future as a bouncer in a nightclub.

Tony Iommi initially wanted to play the drums, but due to the excessive noise he chose the guitar instead as a teenager, after being inspired by the likes of Hank Marvin and the Shadows.

Tony Iommi stated that at one point he worked in a music store, but quit after being falsely accused of stealing.

At the age of 17, Tony Iommi lost the tips of the middle and ring fingers of his right hand in an industrial accident on his last day of work in a sheet metal factory.

In 1974, Tony Iommi told Guitar Player magazine that the thimbles "helped with his technique" because he had to use his little finger more than he had before the accident.

Tony Iommi reflected in 2016 saying that his greatest regret is losing his fingertips.

Tony Iommi later joined The Birds And Bees, and when they were offered work in Germany, Tony Iommi decided to leave his factory job to take up the opportunity.

From 1966 to 1967, Tony Iommi played in a band named the Rest.

From January until July 1968 Tony Iommi was guitarist in Mythology, with Ward joining a month later in mid-February.

However, after only two performances, Tony Iommi was back with Earth in November 1968.

Tony Iommi combined blues-like guitar solos and dark, minor-key riffing with a revolutionary high-gain, heavily distorted tone with his use of power chords, a modified treble-boosting effect-pedal and a Gibson SG.

In 1992, Tony Iommi appeared at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, playing four songs with the remaining members of Queen and other guest artists.

On 9 September 2022, Tony Iommi was featured as a guitarist for two tracks on Ozzy Osbourne's album Patient Number 9.

On 8 August 2022, Tony Iommi reunited with Osbourne to play at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in their home city of Birmingham.

Tony Iommi was involved in the opening ceremony on 28 July 2022, where he played guitar on a song called "Hear My Voice" performed by British saxophonist and rapper Soweto Kinch.

In 2000, Tony Iommi released his first proper solo album, titled Tony Iommi.

Tony Iommi has signed with Mike Fleiss's movie production company Next Films to score a series of horror films entitled Black Sabbath.

Since 1989 Tony Iommi was involved in the Rock Aid Armenia project.

In January 2012, when Tony Iommi was announced to have stage 3 lymphoma, the Armenian Prime Minister sent a letter of support: "We know your spirit is strong as ever, and we do believe the genius of your inspiration that guides you through the work on the new Black Sabbath album will transform into a boost of strength and energy that you need now, when things look tough".

In November 2008 Tony Iommi had a star revealed on the Birmingham Walk of Stars.

Tony Iommi wrote the song "Lonely Planet" which was sung by Dorians for Armenia in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest.

Tony Iommi purchased his first house in Stafford, England, in 1972.

Tony Iommi co-produced her solo album The Bride Wore Black, which to date remains unreleased.

On 19 November 2013, Tony Iommi received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts degree from Coventry University.

Tony Iommi is a visiting professor of music at Coventry University.

Tony Iommi holds dual British and Italian citizenship, acquiring the latter due to his parents.

In early 2012, Tony Iommi was diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, for which he underwent successful treatment.

Black Sabbath's 2013 tour dates were arranged so that Tony Iommi was free to return to the UK once every six weeks to have an antibody administered.

On 3 January 2014, in a New Year message, Tony Iommi announced that he would be finishing his regular treatment some time that year.

Tony Iommi said in 2016 that he believed in God and was a Catholic, but that he had not attended church services since childhood.

Tony Iommi is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time.

Furthermore, Tony Iommi is recognised by many as the main creator of heavy metal music.

Tony Iommi is asking that anyone with information or leads let them know.

Tony Iommi is offering a reward for its safe return.

Tony Iommi was the first guitarist to have a signature pick-up designed and built by Gibson.

Tony Iommi has another model fitted with a Floyd Rose floating tremolo.

Tony Iommi played a Fender Stratocaster that was spraypainted white by Tony Iommi and his father during the early days with Black Sabbath.

However, the neck pick-up malfunctioned during the recording of their first album, so Tony Iommi quickly turned to his backup Gibson SG to finish the record.

Currently Tony Iommi owns two Stratocasters, one of which has been modified with his signature pick-up in the bridge position.

Custom built for Tony Iommi by St Moritz guitars, this is a replica of Tony Iommi's Gibson SG "Monkey".