Birmingham rock legend Tony Iommi will take to the stage at Town Hall, Birmingham on March 19 for a unique event that will see him reviewing his life and career at the forefront of one of the biggest bands in rock music history.
Widely renowned as one of the world’s finest guitarists, Iommi, one of the founding members of the iconic Black Sabbath, will be in conversation with his friend, and well known TV sports presenter, Gary Newbon.
Born in Handsworth, Birmingham in February 1948 Iommi picked up the guitar after being inspired by the likes of Hank Marvin. By 1967, he had played with several blues-based rock bands, and formed a group (Earth) with three old acquaintances from his school days — bassist Terry “Geezer” Butler, drummer Bill Ward, and singer John “Ozzy” Osbourne.
Tony’s musical career was nearly derailed prematurely when he suffered a horrible accident at a sheet metal factory, a machine sliced off the tips of the fingers on his right hand. Figuring that his guitar playing days were behind him, he was revitalised by hearing Django Reinhardt (who lost use of two fingers in a campfire accident) and was inspired to give the six-string another go, with soft plastic tips attached to the ends of his fingers.
Earth became Black Sabbath and the rest is history. The band went on to sell over 80 million albums all over the world and inspire countless bands and artists everywhere. Iommi can take rightful credit for pioneering the massive riffs that eventually became known as heavy metal, and is considered by Brian May of Queen to be “the true father of heavy metal”.
In November 2008 Iommi had a star revealed on the Birmingham Walk of Stars. Five years later he received an Honorary Doctorate of Arts degree from Coventry University where he has lectured in song writing. In the intervening period he has continued to tour with Sabbath headlining arenas and festivals worldwide and has also battled cancer, having been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in January 2012.
Sabbath appeared at The Town Hall on a number of occasions in the early 70s and Tony Iommi was last on stage here in 2015 for the Pride of Birmingham Awards. An Audience With Tony Iommi promises to give everyone a unique insight into one of rock’s most compelling and influential performers and one of Birmingham’s most famous sons.
An Audience With Tony Iommi
Hosted by Gary Newbon
Town Hall Birmingham
Saturday March 19th
Tickets priced £17.50 (subject to a transaction fee*) on-sale Friday 11th December at 10am
Box Office: 0121 780 3333 www.thsh.co.uk
*£3 transaction fee, plus £1 (optional) postage, will be charged on all bookings except purchases made in person at the Town Hall or Symphony Hall Box office.
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