TONY IOMMI appears at Gibson Garage London for intimate interview and performance
01-09-2025
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.”
In May of this year Tony Iommi was a featured guest on “Rocket”, the first single from British pop star Robbie Williams‘s upcoming album “Britpop”. The high-octane rock track features an instantly anthemic chorus, pounding drums and a signature guitar solo from the heavy metal pioneer. The accompanying music video for the song, which was written by Robbie, Karl Brazil, Tony Iommi and Tom Longworth, is now avaialble.
Watch “Rocket” below.
Iommi and the rest of the original BLACK SABBATH lineup — guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward — will perform one last time as part a fundraising event at Villa Park, featuring a host of bands they inspired, including METALLICA, PANTERA, SLAYER, GOJIRA and ANTHRAX.
The concert, dubbed “Back To The Beginning”, was announced at Villa Park on Wednesday (February 5) by Sharon and Tony.
See the full list of performers in the poster below.
All proceeds from the show will go to Birmingham charities Cure Parkinson’s, the Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice.
Osbourne comments: “It’s my time to go ‘Back To The Beginning’… time for me to give back to the place where I was born. How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.”
METALLICA says: “We are beyond honored and humbled to be invited to perform at BLACK SABBATH‘s final show, back where it all began in Birmingham, England. On July 5 at Villa Park — home of Aston Villa — Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward will reunite to play their first show together in 20 years. Tickets go on sale at 10 AM GMT on Friday, February 14, via Ticketmaster UK and Live Nation UK.
“As part of this huge celebration of nearly six decades of BLACK SABBATH, we’ll hit the stage just before a short solo set from Ozzy Osbourne, followed by the mighty SABBATH closing the show. ANTHRAX, ALICE IN CHAINS, GOJIRA, HALESTORM, LAMB OF GOD, MASTODON, PANTERA, and SLAYER will also be a part of the massive night.
“An incredible lineup of musicians from around the globe will also be on hand to pay tribute, including Billy Corgan (THE SMASHING PUMPKINS), David Draiman (DISTURBED), Duff McKagan & Slash (GUNS N’ ROSES), Frank Bello (ANTHRAX), Fred Durst (LIMP BIZKIT), Jake E. Lee, Jonathan Davis (KORN), K.K. Downing, Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM), Mike Bordin (FAITH NO MORE), Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian (ANTHRAX), II (SLEEP TOKEN), Papa V Perpetua (GHOST),Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE),Wolfgang Van Halen, and Zakk Wylde.
“All profits from the night will go to the following charities: Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, a Children’s Hospice supported by Aston Villa.
“Our admiration for BLACK SABBATH runs deep, and we cannot wait to be a part of this historic event! We’ll see you in Birmingham!”
A year ago, Sharon said that Ozzy was hoping to play a farewell concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park as a “goodbye” to fans.
BLACK SABBATH is considered a pioneer of heavy metal and was formed in 1968 in Aston, Birmingham.
BLACK SABBATH has sold over 75 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006, awarded a Lifetime Ivor Novello Songwriting Award in 2015 and were presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
The band has a star on the Broad Street Walk Of Stars in Birmingham, alongside individual stars in their own right, together with a bench in their honor.
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 Butler all playing together.
Ward was on board for the SABBATH reunion when it was first announced 11 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.
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