Tony Iommi is synonymous with heavy rock, his innovative, de-tuned, dark riffs are considered to be the blueprint for hundreds of bands that followed. As Phil Anselmo says, “With a thick sound and crushing, bending riffs—riffs that paint the insides of our memory banks, black with sacred knowledge, Tony changed the landscape of what was acceptable for a mere guitar to sound like.”
For the last two years, Tony has been working with renowned music photographer Ross Halfin to compile this luxury, 340 page, photographic book of his musical career; from the very early days of Black Sabbath through to the opening of the Birmingham Royal “Black Sabbath” ballet in 2023. This suitably heavy tome is a celebration of one of music’s most innovative guitarists and, as Ozzy notes in his exclusive epilogue, “If someone asked me, who was the leader of Black Sabbath, it’d have to be Tony, wouldn’t it? We all contributed, of course, but without Tony’s riffs we wouldn’t have had a chance”.
The book is a compendium of carefully selected images, compiled from all eras of Tony’s career, many from Ross Halfin’s own archive, and the book also features further exclusive written contributions from some of music’s leading talents and friends of Tony. These include Sir Brian May, James Hetfield, and Phil Anselmo. As Sir Brian May notes in his introduction, “Ross Halfin has captured images of Tony in a huge number of settings over the years, as you will see in this book. The pictures show a man of great power and presence, as befits a giant riffmeister”.
Tony Iommi himself said, “I really appreciate all the work Ross has put in, both as a photographer and editor of the book. These photographs represent my career and the memories they conjure up remind me what a fantastic journey we’ve been on. So often I’d look down from the stage and there in the middle of the moshpit would be Ross fighting his corner to get just the right shot. Cheers Ross, the book is a testament to our long friendship and the many defining moments in my life you’ve captured”.
The limited edition book will be printed and bound in the UK and will go on pre-sale on June 28th 2024 at 3pm UK time, and will ship in October 2024. Two editions of the book are available:
The Deluxe Signed Edition: Each copy personally signed by Tony Iommi, this edition is numbered from 1 to 500 copies worldwide. The books will measure 245mm x 345mm, come in a luxury slipcase with gold foil embossing, and feature a recycled black leather spine. Each book comes with a 3D lenticular suitable for framing. The book will sell for £250 plus shipping but, if pre-ordered before July 31st 2024, will be discounted to £200.
The Standard Edition: The same book with a printed hardback cover and slipcase. This edition will sell for £99 and, if ordered before July 31st, will be discounted to £80 plus worldwide delivery.
Our books are unique. They are not available from shops (unless we say so) and they are designed, printed and bound in the United Kingdom. Above all, they are made with PASSION!
