Tony Iommi is undoubtedly the man regarded by most Rock fans as the guitarist who invented the Heavy Metal riff. As the one permanent member throughout the turbulent history of the pioneering BLACK SABBATH, Iommi has given the world more classic riffs than any other individual and influenced generation after generation of Rock guitarist.

Rare Iommi's activities outside of BLACK SABBATH remain scarce. The guitarist had put down a guest solo on BOBBY HARRISON's the 'Funkist' album in 1975, produced Cumbrian band NECROMANDUS in 1977 and played guitar, and even flute, on the debut album from fellow Birmingham Heavy Metal band QUARTZ in the early 80's. Alongside ex-BLACK SABBATH and ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA drummer Bev Bevan he contributed to a Hank Marvin tribute album. Iommi also has a knockabout live band with Bevan fronted by comedian Jasper Carrott titled BELCH. Iommi also had the opportunity to go solo from BLACK SABBATH with 1987's GLENN HUGHES fronted 'Seventh Star' album originally being intended as an Iommi solo vehicle before record company insistence it be released under the BLACK SABBATH banner.

Previous to the late 90's reunion of the classic original BLACK SABBATH line-up (OZZY OSBOURNE, Geezer Butler and BILL WARD) Iommi had been planning a proposed solo project rehearsing material with ex-DEEP PURPLE and BLACK SABBATH front man GLENN HUGHES and ex-JUDAS PRIEST and TRAPEZE drummer Dave Holland. Discussions also took place prior to this regarding the feasibility of former JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford's involvement. Although the Iommi / Hughes / Holland tapes were shelved recordings from the 1996 sessions, recorded in Birmingham at UB40's DEP studios with Hughes and Holland, were bootlegged in Japan titled 'Eighth Star'.

By 2000 it was announced that Iommi, simply billed as IOMMI, had signed to Sharon Osbourne's Divine Recordings label. The solo album featured a multitude of guest artists including Osbourne, PANTERA's Phil Anselmo, SMASHING PUMPKINS BILLY CORGAN, FOO FIGHTERS Dave Grohl, HENRY ROLLINS, TYPE O NEGATIVE's Pete Steele, ex-SOUNDGARDEN drummer Matt Cameron and former WHITE ZOMBIE drummer John Tempesta.

Breaking off from work on a second solo effort during 2002 the guitarist appeared at the Buckingham Palace concert to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's reign. Iommi and OZZY OSBOURNE triumphed with a rendition of the perennial 'Paranoid' which included a guest showing from a rhythm section comprised of the renowned session bassist Pino Palladino and GENESIS drummer PHIL COLLINS.

The guitarist would be rumoured to be making ready a further solo album in collaboration with PANTERA's Phil Anselmo during late 2002, although these plans would be scotched. Another hopeful would be Wednesday 13 of MURDERDOLLS, but his tape would be rejected. In the Spring of 2004 Iommi hooked up with the original BLACK SABBATH line-up once again for another headlining round of US 'Ozzfest' dates.

August revealed that earlier plans to release the Iommi / Hughes sessions as an internet download album had been revised. Now scheduled as a regular album, entitled 'The 1996 DEP Sessions', to be delivered through Sanctuary Records the sessions had been somewhat re-worked. The guitarist had re-cut some of the main riffs and Dave Holland's drum work had been wiped and replaced by that of the PAUL RODGERS band and M3 credited Jimmy Copley. In addition, two songs had new bass guitar work added by Iommi's former BLACK SABBATH colleague Neil Murray. Iommi and Hughes subsequently revealed they were set on working on a brand new, Bob Marlette produced album, entitled 'Fused', in December, employing the services of drummer Kenny Aronoff. Japanese versions, on the JVC Victor label, added an extra track in 'Let It Down Easy'. A further track from the album sessions, 'The Innocence', although not included on the album would be made available for internet download.

Iommi would be back on the European touring circuit with BLACK SABBATH throughout the Summer of 2005. The guitarist also put in an appearance on a re-make of BLACK SABBATH's 'Trashed', originally from the 1983 'Born Again' album, featured on IAN GILLAN's anniversary album.

TONY IOMMI participated in a world record breaker with an act of charity later that year. In response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster Canadian Rocker BRYAN ADAMS initiated the signing of a white Fender Stratocaster guitar by a host of guitar legends and Rock stars. Amongst the fellow signees would be LED ZEPPELIN's JIMMY PAGE, Angus and Malcolm Young of AC/DC, BRIAN MAY of QUEEN, Ritchie Blackmore of RAINBOW and DEEP PURPLE, members of DEF LEPPARD, Mick Jagger, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards from the ROLLING STONES, ERIC CLAPTON, DAVID GILMOUR, JEFF BECK, Pete Townshend of THE WHO, Mark Knopfler, Ray Davies, Liam and Noel Gallagher of OASIS, Paul McCartney, Sting, and BRYAN ADAMS himself. Quite incredibly the instrument was auctioned in November for a staggering $1.6 million dollars, proceeds of which went to the 'Reach Out To Asia' foundation.

In mid November 2006 Tony Iommi performed at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia as part of the 30 year anniversary of Russian act ZEMLYANE. The guitarist, alongside a guest cast comprising GLENN HUGHES, RICK WAKEMAN, URIAH HEEP's KEN HENSLEY, KINGDOM COME, NAZARETH, THE ANIMALS and BONNIE TYLER, naturally featured on 'Paranoid'.