I like me some Tony Iommi

[uptown]

 

http://youtu.be/epDSucMvP70


I never knew the tips of his fingers were gone 

[Masherbrum]

He is missing the tips of his middle and ring finger.   IIRC, he had that accident at the sheet metal plant, on his last day of work.   

[morfiend]

 I've heard he's dealing with Chemo these days,hope he makes it as it will be a sad day when he passes.

   Those finger extensions he uses are his own invention and likely influence his playing style greatly.

 Sabbath is 1 band I wish I had a chance to see back in the day.



   

[uptown]

Oh man, that's not good news at all Morfiend. And I never had the chance to see then either. Would of went to the show for sure if I ever had the chance. I used to listen to those guys for hours on end when i was a kid.

[ozrocker]

Any Sabbath is awesome as always. From 1972. I was 12 when this came out.
This song was, I guess a "motto" song for me back then.

http://youtu.be/5x8LbhQlOYc



                                                                                                                                                                    Oz

[Rob52240]

http://youtu.be/epDSucMvP70


I never knew the tips of his fingers were gone 

He worked in a meat packing plant before they hit it big.  He actually cut his fingertips off after they'd signed their first contract but he didn't want to burn the bridge in case the music thing didn't work out.  His fingertips have a lot to do with the sound of the band.

[ink]

was lucky enough to see them at Ozzfest 

although Ozzy didn't sound quite right they still rocked.

[branch37]

I heard he was diagnosed with leukemia about a year ago IIRC. 

[Anodizer]

Tony had his last Chemo session and is moving on to Radiation therapy..  It was caught "early enough" and his outlook is good.. 
There may not be a tour, but they'll play Lola Palooza this year..  Unfortunately without Bill Ward..    Not happy about that one..

Iommi is probably my main influence when it comes to guitar..  His accident help sculpt his sound, most definitely....  Was probably one of the first heavier guitarists to use drop tuning or lower tunings(C for instance) on a consistent basis..   

There is a musical festival every year called "Road Burn"..  One of my other favorite guitarists(Matt Pike of Sleep and High on Fire) said "Sleep are honored to attend the Symposium of Iommic Research"..

Before the band plays, they have this image of Iommi projected on the movie screen behind them...

                              \m/(>.<)\m/