Iron Man

1. The Accident That Forged a Sound

I admit, it hurt like hell to play guitar straight on the bones of my severed fingers, and I had to reinvent my style of playing to accommodate the pain.

A fateful day. Tony Iommi's life took an unexpected turn on his last day as a welder in 1965. A factory guillotine press severed the tips of his middle and ring fingers on his right hand, seemingly ending his dream of becoming a professional guitarist. This devastating injury, however, inadvertently became the catalyst for a revolutionary sound.

Ingenious adaptation. Faced with unbearable pain playing on exposed bone, Iommi refused to quit. Inspired by jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who played with only two fingers, he fashioned makeshift thimbles from a melted Fairy Liquid bottle and leather. This forced him to adapt his playing style, relying more on his index and pinky fingers, and developing a unique, heavy vibrato.

Unintended innovation. The pain also led him to use lighter guitar strings, which were not commercially available at the time, by repurposing banjo strings. This innovation, combined with tuning his guitar down to reduce string tension, created a deeper, darker, and heavier sound that would become the hallmark of Black Sabbath and the blueprint for heavy metal.

2. Birth of Black Sabbath: A New Sound

As soon as I played that first riff we went: ‘Oh God, that’s really great. But what is it? I don’t know!’

Forming Earth. After his accident and a brief stint with Jethro Tull, Iommi reunited with drummer Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, forming the Polka Tulk Blues Band, quickly renamed Earth. Their early gigs were chaotic, often playing to indifferent crowds or being mistaken for a pop band, leading to the realization they needed a truly unique identity.

The Devil's Interval. Geezer Butler suggested the name Black Sabbath, inspired by a horror film. Iommi's guitar riffs, often utilizing the "Devil's interval" (a tritone chord progression forbidden in medieval music), combined with Geezer's dark, real-life lyrics and Ozzy's haunting vocals, created a sound unlike anything heard before. This raw, heavy blues-rock resonated with audiences seeking something beyond flower power.

First album impact. Their self-titled debut album, recorded in just a few days, captured their raw live energy. Despite being panned by critics, its dark themes and groundbreaking sound quickly gained an underground following, especially in America, proving that their unconventional approach was connecting with a new generation of listeners.

3. The Perils of Early Success & Management

We were so gullible about everything. All we wanted was to play and tour everywhere and go to America and all that.

Naive beginnings. Black Sabbath's early success was marred by exploitative management deals. After leaving Jim Simpson, they signed with Patrick Meehan, who promised billboards and stardom. The band, focused solely on music, blindly trusted their managers, signing contracts they barely understood and never seeing the true extent of their earnings.

Financial exploitation. Meehan provided the band with lavish lifestyles—private jets, luxury cars, and houses—but kept them largely cash-poor. Money was funneled through complex accounting firms that also worked for Meehan, making it impossible for the band to track their finances. This led to constant legal battles and a deep sense of betrayal.

Constant litigation. The band found themselves in perpetual lawsuits, first with Jim Simpson, then with Meehan, who even sued them after they tried to leave him. This constant legal harassment, often occurring while they were trying to record, became a major distraction and source of frustration, directly influencing album titles like "Sabotage."

4. Life on the Road: Chaos and Camaraderie

I’ve seen Ozzy’s arse more times than I’ve seen my own!

Wild antics. Touring with Black Sabbath was a whirlwind of chaos, pranks, and excessive behavior. From Ozzy's hotel room fireworks and mooning the crowd to Bill Ward's drunken escapades and Iommi's own drug-fueled antics, their off-stage lives were as legendary as their music. These experiences, while often destructive, also fostered a unique camaraderie.

Drug-fueled tours. The band's early tours, especially in America, were heavily influenced by drug use, particularly cocaine. This led to bizarre incidents, like the band flushing massive amounts of cocaine down the toilet during a police raid or Ozzy putting a live shark in a hotel bathtub. The constant partying took a heavy toll on their health.

Unforgettable moments. Despite the madness, touring provided unforgettable experiences. Playing the Fillmore East, meeting Elvis's plane, or fishing for sharks from a hotel window became part of their lore. These chaotic adventures, though often leading to trouble, cemented their bond and provided endless material for their rock 'n' roll narrative.

5. Creative Evolution and Internal Strife

I felt the pressure of that, but I had always been able to cope with it. However, it got to me when we needed to do Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.

Songwriting process. Iommi was the primary riff-writer, often developing ideas alone before bringing them to the band. Ozzy would improvise vocal melodies, and Geezer would craft the lyrics, often drawing from occult interests or real-life observations. This collaborative, yet often Iommi-driven, process yielded iconic tracks like "Paranoid" and "Iron Man."

Experimentation and growth. After their initial raw sound, the band began to experiment, incorporating acoustic passages, orchestral arrangements, and even piano (played by Iommi on "Changes"). Albums like "Master of Reality" and "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" showcased their willingness to push boundaries, adding depth and dynamics to their heavy sound.

Writer's block and tension. The relentless touring and internal pressures eventually led to creative stagnation, most notably during the writing of "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath." Iommi experienced severe writer's block, and the band's increasing drug use and lack of focus exacerbated tensions. This period highlighted the fragility of their creative synergy amidst personal struggles.

6. The Revolving Door: A Band in Constant Flux

I lost track of it all in the end, because there were that many people in and out in such a short time.

Ozzy's first departure. The band's stability began to crumble with Ozzy's increasing drug use and disinterest, leading to his first departure before "Never Say Die!" His temporary replacement, Dave Walker, proved unsuitable, and Ozzy returned briefly, but the writing was on the wall for the original lineup.

The Dio era. Ozzy's final departure paved the way for Ronnie James Dio, whose powerful, operatic vocals and distinct lyrical style revitalized the band. Albums like "Heaven and Hell" and "Mob Rules" showcased a new, more melodic yet equally heavy sound, proving Black Sabbath could thrive beyond its original frontman.

Constant changes. The band became a revolving door of musicians after Dio's first exit, with singers like Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes, and Tony Martin, and drummers like Vinny Appice, Bev Bevan, and Cozy Powell. Each change brought new dynamics and challenges, making it difficult to maintain a consistent identity and often leading to fan confusion and commercial struggles.

7. Personal Demons and Unwavering Resolve

I tend to fight through a lot of stuff, so it’s hard for me to understand other people not doing the same.

Battling addiction. Iommi openly discusses his own struggles with cocaine and speed, acknowledging how it affected his relationships and work. He eventually managed to stop regularly, attributing his recovery to sheer determination and the support of his third wife, Valery.

Family challenges. Despite his success, Iommi faced significant personal turmoil, including multiple divorces and a prolonged, painful custody battle for his daughter, Toni. He describes the emotional toll of these events, including a night spent in jail due to a false child support claim, highlighting the personal cost of his chaotic lifestyle.

Unwavering determination. Throughout his life, Iommi demonstrated remarkable resilience. From adapting his guitar playing after his accident to navigating exploitative managers and constant band changes, his stubborn refusal to give up, often driven by a desire to prove doubters wrong, was a defining characteristic.

8. Enduring Legacy and Reunions

We were up for it probably seven or eight times, and on 13 March 2006 we were finally inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The original's return. Despite years of separation and various lineups, the original Black Sabbath members (Iommi, Osbourne, Butler, Ward) periodically reunited, most notably for Live Aid in 1985 and the Ozzfest tours starting in 1997. These reunions were met with immense fan enthusiasm, proving the enduring power of their original chemistry.

Hall of Fame recognition. After decades of critical dismissal, Black Sabbath finally received mainstream recognition, being inducted into both the UK and American Music Halls of Fame. These accolades, often presented by musicians they influenced like Metallica and Brian May, cemented their status as pioneers of heavy metal.

Heaven & Hell. Following a successful reunion for "The Dio Years" compilation, Iommi, Dio, Butler, and Appice formed Heaven & Hell, touring and releasing a new album, "The Devil You Know." This project allowed them to explore their heavier, more progressive sound without the baggage of the Black Sabbath name, creating a new chapter in their legacy.

9. The Unseen Hand: Fate and the Supernatural

Someone once suggested it was to invent heavy metal. What a great purpose.

Near-death experiences. Iommi recounts several brushes with death, including a severe car crash where he saw "three figures... like angels" and a near-stabbing incident on stage. These experiences left him with a profound sense of being "saved for a purpose," hinting at a guiding force in his life.

Haunted encounters. Throughout his career, Iommi experienced numerous unexplained phenomena. From seeing child ghosts in a Carlisle flat to encountering a "friendly ghost" in his own mansion and being plagued by "lofty lodgers" in a rented house, these bizarre events often left him questioning reality and seeking answers in occult literature.

A guiding presence. Iommi often felt an "invisible fifth band member" or a "guiding light" influencing their music, particularly during creative breakthroughs. This belief in a supernatural element, combined with his interest in astral projection and the occult, added a mystical dimension to his life and the band's dark aesthetic.

Last updated: August 12, 2025