Legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has revealed that the lump recently found in his throat was non-cancerous.
Iommi was diagnosed with lymphoma in early 2012 and received treatment on and off over the next few years, occasionally interrupting Sabbath’s activities. While his health was cited as a main reason for the group to be retiring, Iommi did say last August that his cancer was in remission.
Then, in early December, Rolling Stone revealed that a lump had been found in Iommi’s throat which was under investigation as a possible recurrence of the disease. He has since undergone surgery and received the news that it was not cancerous on Christmas day.
Iommi told Planet Rock (via Blabbermouth) “Well, I had the treatment when I got back from [touring] South America. I went in for the throat [operation]. They found a lump at the back of my sinus, in the throat, and we had to have it checked in case it may have been cancerous. But it turns out it wasn’t, which I found out Christmas Day, which is brilliant. So far [I’m all good]. I daren’t say that. I’ll probably fall down the stairs now. [Laughs]”
Recently, Iommi wrote a new choral piece, How Good It Is, for Birmingham Cathedral in his hometown. Basing the lyrics on Psalm 133, Tony played acoustic guitar for the performance which was sung by the Birmingham Cathedral Choir.
Meanwhile, Black Sabbath is readying to play their final shows which will be February 2 and 4 in Genting Arena in Birmingham.
