Tony Iommi

Tony Iommi co-founded Black Sabbath in Birmingham in 1968 and played guitar in the band throughout its history. When he was young, an industrial accident cost him the tips of two fingers. On Master of Reality in 1971 he tuned his guitar down to ease the strain on his damaged fingertips, and the lower tuning also gave the band a heavier sound.

His first solo album, Iommi, came out on 17 October 2000. He co-produced it with Bob Marlette, and the guest singers included Dave Grohl, Henry Rollins, Billy Corgan, Phil Anselmo and Serj Tankian. In 2004 he released The 1996 DEP Sessions, which he had recorded with Glenn Hughes in 1996. Jimmy Copley re-recorded the drums before its release. A year later, Iommi, Hughes and drummer Kenny Aronoff released Fused.

In 2006 Iommi formed Heaven & Hell with Ronnie James Dio, Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice. The band released The Devil You Know in 2009 and ended after Dio died in 2010. Black Sabbath then returned with 13 in 2013 and went on “The End” tour, which finished on 4 February 2017 at the Genting Arena in Birmingham. On 5 July 2025 the original line-up played once more at the “Back to the Beginning” concert at Villa Park.

On 23 October 2026 BMG released From The Dark, his first solo album in 21 years. Jørn Lande sings on it, Becky Baldwin plays bass and Karl Brazil plays drums. Iommi co-produced it with Mike Exeter, who had also worked on the 1996 sessions with Hughes.