BLACK SABBATH's TONY IOMMI Appears At Gibson Garage London For Intimate Interview And Performance: Photos, Video

This week, Gibson hosted a very special event to celebrate Tony Iommi, the legendary guitarist of BLACK SABBATH, and launch the return of his Tony Iommi Signature Humbucker out now from the Gibson Pickup Shop. Music fans gathered at the Gibson Garage London for an intimate interview with Iommi — moderated by Liz Barnes (BBC Radio 2) — which was followed by a brief performance, and a screening of the "first look" trailer for "Iommi: The Godfather Of Heavy Metal", a new limited docuseries from Gibson Films, which will stream worldwide this fall on Gibson TV.

In the late 1990s, Gibson teamed up with Tony to create their very first signature pickup. Now, that original Gibson signature humbucker has made its long-awaited return. The Gibson Tony Iommi Signature Humbucker honors Tony's legendary guitar work, powerful sound, and groundbreaking albums, which laid the foundation for heavy metal and inspired countless other genres.

The Tony Iommi Humbucker features an exclusive configuration of powerful ceramic and Alnico 2 magnets, along with unique windings, which give it the incredible tone and sustain that have helped make Tony's work with BLACK SABBATH instantly recognizable. Thunderous tone and incredible sustain, with crystal clarity, even in full distortion, the Tony Iommi Humbucker is fully wax-potted and epoxied for absolute protection against unwanted feedback. The 4-conductor wiring allows for series, parallel, and split coil operation.

On collaborating with Gibson, his love of the SG, and the creation of the Tony Iommi Humbucker, Tony says: "When we were recording the first album, on the song 'Wicked World', I had been using a Strat, and the pickup went out. I grabbed the Gibson SG, and liked the sound of it, and from that day on, that first album, I have always used a Gibson SG." Tony adds, "We first made these pickups 28 years ago, to solve the interference from the volume we were using and the turbo booster, and they have continuously evolved since to be better. I hope my pickup will help the guitar players of today get my sound; it is the SABBATH sound off of these pickups, and with the right combination and amp, they are fantastic."

Fans in attendance at the Tony Iommi event at the Gibson Garage London were thrilled to view the premiere of the "first look" trailer for "Iommi: The Godfather Of Heavy Metal", a new limited series from Gibson Films, which will stream worldwide this fall exclusively on Gibson TV.

Parents hated it. Their kids loved it. After the Summer Of Love began to fade, an ominous new sound emerged from the smokestacks of Birmingham, England. Tony Iommi was the architect of that sound — the man responsible for the genre-defining riffs of BLACK SABBATH and a sound that would take over the world. More than just a new style of music, heavy metal became a way of life — connecting millions through a spirit of rebellion, passion, and a relentless sound that refuses to fade.

"Iommi: The Godfather Of Heavy Metal" will take a career-spanning deep dive into Tony's music history and his massive influence on countless other luminaries of heavy music. The star-studded, limited documentary series will feature in-depth interviews with Tony himself, as well as Brian May, Slash, Zakk Wylde, Dave Mustaine, Kirk Hammett, Steve Vai, Scott Ian, Rex Brown and many more.

"Tony Iommi remains the undisputed godfather of heavy metal. Through his iconic riffs and uncompromising vision, he gave birth to a sound that was rooted in darkness and became the foundation for generations of musicians," says Todd Harapiak, media director at Gibson and producer for the new series. "'The Godfather Of Heavy Metal' not only celebrates the story of Lord Iommi and BLACK SABBATH but also shines a light on the stories of the countless bands who carried their torch forward."

During an appearance on the July 8 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Iommi spoke about some of his upcoming music-related projects, including a full-length collection of new material from the legendary BLACK SABBATH guitarist. Tony said: " Well, at the moment, well, I was doing my own album until [the 'Back To The Beginning' event] came up, and then, of course, I had to stop and concentrate on [preparing for] the SABBATH [performance]. But I'm continuing next week on trying to finish off what I started with this album. And then who knows what I'm gonna do then? It's great, really, 'cause if something pops up, I'll do it, if I want to do it. So it's a good thing."

Asked if his upcoming album is a Tony Iommi solo record with guests on it, like he has done before with 2000's "Iommi", the guitarist responded: "At the moment, no. I've got one singer on it at the moment, which I originally thought of different singers. But it started off as it's gonna be an instrumental album, and it's gone from I've got some instrumental stuff, but then I thought, 'Oh, I wanna try it with a singer.' And so that's what I've been doing."

Tony also spoke about his recent appearance on "Rocket", the first single from British pop star Robbie Williams's upcoming album "Britpop". The rock track, which was written by Robbie, Karl Brazil, Tony Iommi and Tom Longworth, features a signature guitar solo from the heavy metal pioneer.

"[Robbie] asked me if I'd play on this track, and I didn't realize he was gonna release it as a single," Iommi said. "And then he wanted to do a video with it. Oh my God. But it was great to do that. And I enjoyed doing that. And it's great now — I can do different stuff when I want, really, and I'm enjoying it."

Tony added: "I can't stop. I have to carry on. I enjoy what I do. And it's great being creative. And I love to create music. That's what started me off and that's what will finish me off, probably. But I love it. And there will be — yes — more from me. And I'm getting more involved in — we spread our wings with the [BLACK SABBATH] ballet and different things. And there's a lot more things to come. So I'm looking forward to that."

Last year, Iommi released an instrumental track, "Deified", to accompany the arrival of another new fragrance. The song saw Iommi reunite with longtime collaborator Mike Exeter, who played keyboards and handled production, with Laurence Cottle (who played on BLACK SABBATH's "Headless Cross" album) on bass. The recording lineup was rounded out by FEEDER and Robbie Williams drummer Karl Brazil, with Ben Andrews scoring the orchestrations.

Three years earlier, Iommi unveiled "Scent Of Dark" — his first new music in eight years at the time — alongside an accompanying cologne.

At the time of "Scent Of Dark"'s release, Iommi revealed that he had "four or five hundred" unused riffs on his phone, with plans to arrange and record some of them for his various projects.

"Scent Of Dark" and "Deified" were the product of a friendship struck up during the pandemic between Iommi and Sergio Momo, acclaimed perfumer, and designer for Xerjoff, well known for its unique and individual creations and collaborations in the fragrance world. Sergio is also an accomplished guitarist, and his fine fretwork can be heard on both songs.

Iommi previously spoke about his upcoming solo album during a June 2024 appearance on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. He said at the time: "I am writing stuff now for my own, for an album. So that's exciting too. And there's no pressure. I just do stuff when I feel like it, because, obviously, I've got a life to live and I like to do all the different stuff. But I've really enjoyed doing this stuff, as I did with Ozz [BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne] when I'd done a couple of tracks for his last [solo] album ['Patient Number 9'], which was good, to work with Ozz again. And I'm quite open for all that now. Whatever comes, and I like it, I do it."

Asked if he is going to release a "proper record" or if he will just make individual songs available whenever he feels like it, Iommi responded: "No, I'm gonna do a record. And I've got a lot of stuff. But now we're actually getting around to sort of putting it together, myself and the engineer. So it's been good fun, really. And as I say, there's no pressure. I can just do it — I don't have to do it by next week. And because of everything else [that has] been lurking around, I have to take my time in doing things. But it's been fun. And that's what it's all about, really. And I'm looking forward to actually doing it and an album coming out."

When and if Iommi's new solo album surfaces, it would be his third, after 2000's "Iommi" and 2005's "Fused".

Joining Iommi on "Fused" was ex-DEEP PURPLE bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes and drummer Kenny Aronoff, whose resume includes the "Iommi" album and a long run with John Mellencamp.

Nearly two decades ago, Iommi told Launch that he, Aronoff and Hughes had a great time making the "Fused" record. "It was like a load of nutters, quite honestly," he said. "We all let loose in the room. It was just like being kids, because Kenny, you know, [laughs] he was, like, he's so, like, up, and full of energy, and you've got Glenn [makes crazy sound] and Kenny [makes crazy sound] — bloody hell! It's almost too much, you know, but it worked."

SMASHING PUMPKINS frontman Billy Corgan and Dave Grohl of the FOO FIGHTERS are among the guests who were heard on "Iommi". The LP also featured guest appearances from Philip Anselmo of PANTERA, Henry Rollins and SYSTEM OF A DOWN's Serj Tankian as well as Skin of SKUNK ANANSIE, Peter Steele from TYPE O NEGATIVE, and THE CULT's Ian Astbury.

In February 2017, SABBATH finished "The End" tour in Birmingham, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career.

"The End" was SABBATH's last tour because Iommi — who was diagnosed with lymphoma in late 2011 — can no longer travel for extended amounts of time.

Iommi revealed his cancer diagnosis in early 2012, shortly after SABBATH announced a reunion tour and album. He underwent treatment throughout the recording of the disc, titled "13", and the subsequent tour to promote it.

The BLACK SABBATH guitarist successfully underwent an operation in January 2017 to remove a noncancerous lump from his throat.

"13" was the first album in 35 years to feature Iommi, Osbourne and bassist Geezer Butler all playing together.

Bill Ward was on board for the SABBATH reunion when it was first announced 14 years ago, but backed out soon after. The drummer later claimed that he sat out the recording and touring sessions because of unfair contractual terms, although the members of SABBATH have hinted in other interviews that he wasn't physically up to the task.

All four original members of SABBATH were present when the band announced its final reunion in late 2011. But Ward split from the group in 2012, citing an "unsignable" contract, and Osbourne, Iommi and Butler carried on with their Rick Rubin–produced "13" LP and extensive international touring without him.

Last month's "Back To The Beginning" event at Villa Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom marked the original BLACK SABBATH lineup's first performance since 2005 and the quartet's final live appearance.

Ozzy played a five-song set with his solo band before being joined by Iommi, Butler and Ward for four classic SABBATH tracks: "War Pigs", "Iron Man", "N.I.B." and "Paranoid".

Ozzy died on July 22 of a heart attack, his death certificate revealed. The certificate filed in London also said Osbourne suffered from coronary artery disease and Parkinson's disease.

Photo credit: Gibson