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Tony Iommi Diagnosed With Early Stages Of Lymphoma

posted Jan 9, 2012 at 9:24 AM by CROMCarl.  (38 Comments)

Photo of Black Sabbath

Band Photo: Black Sabbath (?)

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with lymphoma, a cancer of the blood that develops in the lymphatic system. Black Sabbath made the following post on its official Facebook Page:

"With the news that Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi has been diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, his bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time. Iommi is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan--the “IRON MAN” of Rock & Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.

"This comes as Black Sabbath--Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums)--are writing and recording their first album in 33 years in Los Angeles (still set for release this fall) with producer Rick Rubin. They will now go to the UK to continue to work with Tony. Further information will be released as it becomes available."

More news on Iommi's condition is expected shortly.

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38 Comments on "Tony Iommi Diagnosed With Lymphoma"

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The_Avant_Garde's avatar

Writer

1. The_Avant_Garde writes:

2012 isn't looking like its going to be any kinder to the metal community than 2011 was. Hope he beats this.

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 9:26 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
CROMCarl's avatar

Writer / Reviewer

2. CROMCarl writes:

I'm going to re-name myself the grim reaper for christ's sake....two deaths and this in the first week... 2012 is looking grim!

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 9:31 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
theghostofavalon's avatar

Member

3. theghostofavalon writes:

Well I hope he beats it.

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 9:32 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Blindgreed1's avatar

Member

4. Blindgreed1 writes:

Iommi can not be harmed by mortal cancer. He will bend it over and grudge fvck this cancer.

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 9:54 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Diamond Oz's avatar

Senior News Correspondent

5. Diamond Oz writes:

Horrible news. Really hope he beats it.

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 10:15 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
6. Vinny the Metalhead writes:

Get well soon, sir!

Now Playing: Motörhead - Jailbait

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 10:19 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
7. Megahell writes:

So greatful for all the great music. Get well soon Tony. Can't wait to hear the new stuff. Hope to see and hear you soon.

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 10:38 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
8. Tbone writes:

I guess every day COULD be the last. Live it up, Tony!! Stay positive, man!!

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 10:44 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
RTB's avatar

Member

9. RTB writes:

Key word is early, with treatment he will beat it
puts a damper on a tour i presume, but no tour is more valuable than life
get well soon \m/

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 10:52 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
wilco's avatar

Member

10. wilco writes:

bad news

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 11:02 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
spiral_architect's avatar

Member

11. spiral_architect writes:

FIRST DIO, NOW IOMMI? HERE'S HOPING THIS ISN'T THE SOUND OF THE DEATH KNELL.......

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 11:12 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
R10's avatar

Member

12. R10 writes:

Certainly stunning news. They caught it early,so that works in his favor in terms of recovery. Hopefully he beats it,pulls through completely. We havent heard the last of Mr Iommi! Get well!

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 11:37 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
ThrashtillDeathTFV's avatar

Member

13. ThrashtillDeathTFV writes:

Hes gona make it! The treatment should work well if it is early. Stay hopeful! We shall see him in all his glory on stage with Sabbath soon

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 11:44 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
brandedcfh420's avatar

Member

14. brandedcfh420 writes:

\,,/(**)\,,/ TONY WILL DEFEAT THIS \,,/(**)\,,/

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 11:49 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
WOLF7's avatar

Member

15. WOLF7 writes:

Very bad news all around, Iommi's health naturally being the big one, but what's also shocking is that the Black Sabbath project will get slaughtered by Rick "compress the hell out of everything" Rubin.

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 11:50 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Drum_Junkie's avatar

Member

16. Drum_Junkie writes:

I hate to read this....

On the plus side, Lymphoma generally has one of the highest survival rates - especially if caught early. So the initial prognosis sounds treatable.

I raise my horns in support \m/\m/

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 12:00 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
silvermountains's avatar

Member

17. silvermountains writes:

heard all about this on the radio this morning, terrible news. hope Iommi can over come this, and hope that Sabbaths return isn't derailed by this horrible news

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 12:31 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
MAX69's avatar

Member

18. MAX69 writes:

Truly worrying news. Like it was said earlier the hope is that it has been detected early enough. Get well soon, Iron Man.

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 12:32 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
19. PuckettJp2 writes:

Tony Iommi will not be defeated by this! he will not go down so easily! \m/

:( i wish i couldve said the same for Joey Ramone.....

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 1:22 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Tivic's avatar

Member

20. Tivic writes:

Me & my little brother Jason are a huge fan of his guitar playing. Why is there more deaths in Metal not in any other genres of music.

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 2:14 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
21. Punisherdeath666 writes:

Tony will beat this he is the iron man. Stay positive Tony and my metal brothers and sisters.

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 5:10 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
6(sic)6's avatar

Supporter

22. 6(sic)6 writes:

Sending positive vibes to Iommi.

# Jan 9, 2012 @ 7:35 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Rakka's avatar

Member

23. Rakka writes:

Ooh..damn. Tragic news. Not a good way to start of course. Best of Luck to Tony \m/

NP- Iron Man

# Jan 10, 2012 @ 12:06 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
DixieSkumLord666's avatar

Member

24. DixieSkumLord666 writes:

Noooo...this is so weak...get better soon Tony...may the force be with you...kick cancers ass

# Jan 10, 2012 @ 12:56 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
25. Alduin's Bane writes:

One by one the old timers are leaving us. This sucks.

# Jan 10, 2012 @ 11:48 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
ZMA's avatar

Member

26. ZMA writes:

After seeing DJ's explanation I feel a little better about this. Still a very sad thing. I have high hopes he'll be ok. It'll suck if he dies before they finish the album. *Knocks on wood*

# Jan 10, 2012 @ 1:28 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
27. Boozer Buzzkill writes:

Tell Ronnie to use one of the guitarists already up there!!! He doesn't need Tony yet!!!

# Jan 10, 2012 @ 2:02 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Jenny's avatar

Member

28. Jenny writes:

Post 16: I hope you're right. Much hope \m/

# Jan 10, 2012 @ 4:25 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
utoad9's avatar

Member

29. utoad9 writes:

There are two kinds of lymphoma - Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's. One is more treatable than the other. It is not yet clear which type Tony has. On a positive note,I've got a friend who beat lymphoma,so it can be defeated. I wish Tony well!

# Jan 10, 2012 @ 5:45 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Nunya's avatar

Member

30. Nunya writes:

Iomi will win

# Jan 10, 2012 @ 5:46 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
31. Billpower writes:

Hope he gets better. sucks to hear about this.

# Jan 10, 2012 @ 8:25 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
32. HE HE HE HE writes:

its early stage which is good and im sure doctors will be aggressive....he will beat this for sure

# Jan 12, 2012 @ 8:00 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
sonictherapy's avatar

Senior News Correspondent

33. sonictherapy writes:

Tony just posted this on his FB page:

My fans, friends & colleagues -

I just want to say how overwhelmed I am with all your messages of support, thank you so much. Well it's not what I wanted for Christmas, that's for sure, but now I can't wait for the test results to come in and get going with the treatment. It's really good that the guys are coming over so that we can continue working on the album as things are going great in the studio. Well, not much else to say at this time, so thanks again.

Bless you all,

Tony

# Jan 12, 2012 @ 10:40 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
34. Felipe writes:

I was diagnosed with that crap 6 years ago, and here I am, after 16 rounds and 8 months of chemo I'm feeling better than ever and cancer free. If I can, you can! Go for it

# Jan 15, 2012 @ 12:07 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Necrovomit's avatar

Member

35. Necrovomit writes:

hang in there iommi. your a hero to many. if you can cut off a finger and still play guitar a little cancer can't bring ya down! \m/

# Jan 21, 2012 @ 10:42 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Crushem's avatar

Supporter

36. Crushem writes:

He'll make it. He will not be defeated.

# Jan 22, 2012 @ 11:57 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
37. Stuart45 writes:

Tony, best wishes, and go stay positive, and beat the cancer. Your legions await you....

# Jan 27, 2012 @ 1:55 AM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address
Anonymous Reader
38. Megalomania writes:

The "RIFF MASTER" Gotta See Your "Rock N' Roll Doctor"

# Jan 28, 2012 @ 1:21 PM ET | IP Logged Reveal posts originating from the same IP address

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