Heavy metal pioneer and Black Sabbath founding guitarist Tony Iommi is scheduled to appear at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in Birmingham, United Kingdom, for an exclusive one-night speaking event. Taking place on Thursday, September 17, the evening will feature the acclaimed musician discussing his extensive music career and the hometown that birthed his legendary sound.
The on-stage conversation will be moderated by Midlands-based journalist and sports broadcaster Gary Newbon. Attendees can expect a comprehensive discussion covering decades of tour stories, backstage anecdotes, and the creative process behind writing some of the most globally recognized riffs in rock history.
This speaking engagement arrives during a highly active period for the veteran guitarist. Tony Iommi is currently preparing for the October 2026 launch of his brand-new solo studio album, From The Dark. The upcoming event also marks his first major public hometown appearance since receiving an MBE, one of the highest honors in British public life, in June 2026.
Recognized globally as the primary architect of heavy metal, Tony Iommi physically shaped the genre’s vocabulary after a severe childhood factory accident severed the tips of two of his fingers. To continue playing, he adjusted his guitar setup and developed a darker, down-tuned sound. Alongside original Black Sabbath bandmates Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, he delivered a string of groundbreaking 1970s albums that became massive British cultural exports.
With a sprawling discography containing more than 45 albums, his musical reach extends far beyond that initial classic lineup. Over a six-decade career, Tony Iommi recorded highly successful material alongside the late Ronnie James Dio, built a celebrated solo catalog, and earned multiple Grammy Awards. He later reunited with the original Black Sabbath members to record the chart-topping 2013 comeback album 13. That record paved the way for the massive “The End” global farewell tour, which drew 1.6 million concertgoers.
His cultural impact continues to expand across completely different artistic mediums. In 2023, he worked directly with the Birmingham Royal Ballet to create “Black Sabbath – The Ballet“, an innovative production utilizing his early compositions. More recently, Black Sabbath returned to the stage for the historic 2025 “Back To The Beginning” hometown concert, delivering an emotional final performance just weeks before the death of longtime frontman Ozzy Osbourne.
In addition to his Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction and recent MBE appointment, his contributions to music and his local community have earned him an honorary doctorate from Coventry University, a Lord Mayor’s Award, and the Freedom Of The City of Birmingham.
Due out October 23 via BMG, From The Dark is Iommi‘s first solo album in more than two decades — his first since 2005’s Fused, which he made with former Deep Purple and Black Sabbath man Glenn Hughes. This time out, he’s joined by Norwegian vocalist Jorn Lande, bassist Becky Baldwin and drummer Karl Brazil, best known for his long stint with Robbie Williams, with longtime collaborator Mike Exeter co-producing. The album’s one famous guest is Queen guitarist Brian May, a close friend of Iommi‘s for nearly 60 years, who contributes a solo to the track “Death Wake.”
