Today (February 19), Anthony Frank "Tony" Iommi is celebrating his 65th birthday! This birthday is a very special one for Iommi since one year ago he wasn't sure if he would make it through another year due to cancer. On 9 January 2012 it was announced that Iommi had been diagnosed with early stage lymphoma. Here is an update from Iommi regarding his health status.
Iommi was born in Handsworth, Birmingham, England, and is considered the pioneer of Heavy Metal guitar shredding. As we all know, Iommi is a founding member of Black Sabbath and has been the only member to be part of every incarnation of the band.
Here are some facts about the great Tony Iommi:
- Iommi, a left-handed guitar player, is one of the most important and influential guitarists in Heavy Metal history.
- He originally wanted to play the drums, but due to the noise they produce he picked up the guitar as a teenager, after being inspired by the likes of Hank Marvin and The Shadows.
- According to Allmusic, "Iommi is one of only two guitarists (the other being Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page) that can take full credit for pioneering the mammoth riffs of Heavy Metal".
- 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. After attempting to learn to play right-handed, Iommi instead strung his guitars with lighter strings and made thimbles to extend his fingers.
- Considered the best guitarist of all time according to Guitar World's "100 Greatest Metal Guitarists of All Time".
- In 2011, Iommi released his autobiography "Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath".
Recently, BLACK SABBATH revealed that the release of their NEW album has been postponed from April to June. According to Geezer Butler, production for the band's first record with frontman Ozzy Osbourne since the release of 'Never Say Die!' has been completed and this is why the band decided to release the following video teaser for the most anticipated record of 2013. Here is a trailer for the NEW Sabbath record!
We want to wish Tony a very HEAVY birthday and many more to come! \m/
Related links:
Official site of Tony Iommi
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