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Tony Iommi Scholarship Raises £15,000 in Birmingham

Tony Iommi MBE, the heavy metal pioneer and Black Sabbath legend, has helped bring in more than £15,000 to set up a new scholarship for young musical talent in Birmingham.

The money came from a sell-out headline event, An Evening with… Tony Iommi, staged at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire’s Bradshaw Hall. Fans made the trip from North America, South America and Europe to fill the venue, and the night opened with a striking string quartet take on Black Sabbath’s classic Paranoid, performed by Conservatoire students in the group Jezt.

Gary Newbon MBE, the veteran sports broadcaster and a close friend of Iommi, hosted the evening, during which Iommi looked back on his remarkable life and career. The guitar icon spoke about how his pioneering sound took shape after an industrial factory accident at 17 left him without the tips of his fingers. Inspired by jazz great Django Reinhardt, Iommi made makeshift prosthetic tips and reworked his technique, opening the door for heavy metal to emerge.

The conversation also covered Black Sabbath’s historic final performance, Back to the Beginning, at Villa Park in July 2025, where Iommi reunited with Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. Iommi also gave fans a peek at what he is working on now, including his upcoming solo album, From the Dark.

Several music luminaries were in the audience, among them Toyah Willcox, Robert Fripp and Bev Bevan. Conservatoire Principal Stephen Maddock OBE highlighted the huge impact of the scholarship, stressing that financial support is vital in helping aspiring young artists from every background flourish in their studies.

By backing local talent, Iommi helps ensure that Birmingham’s rich and rebellious musical heritage will keep inspiring future generations of musicians for years to come.

Photo: Music-News
Source: Muzland
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