One week from today (17), Black Sabbath will begin what’s almost undoubtedly their last ever American tour as a band. The second U.S. leg of “The End” tour will begin on an up note, as guitarist Tony Iommi said yesterday that his cancer that he’s been battling is in remission. The 68 year-old Iommi who has been suffering from lymphoma in recent years, revealed this as he unveiled a plaque at the hospital that he’s been being treated at, Spire Parkway Hospital in Solihull. And The guitarist said the following to the Birmingham Mail:
“I came back to hospital straight after we finished a round of European tour dates, and the good news is that everything is alright up to this point. I am in remission and hopefully, this situation will continue.
“The chemotherapy and the follow-up treatment appear to have done the trick — but I’m aware that it could come back one day.
“I have a blood test every six weeks at my GP’s, and I come in here at regular intervals for check-ups. That’s something that I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life, looking for any warning signs that it might be rearing its ugly head again.
“But the availability of a facility like the Specialist Care Centre makes it so much easier. They’re all lovely here!”
As Iommi says, he’s not fully out of the water, and he’s going to spend the rest of his life at the hospital he just presented a plaque at getting blood tests every six weeks. However, to have his cancer in remission is excellent, and he’s already lived longer than Ronnie James Dio. With Black Sabbath’s last shows coming in February, Iommi might actually be able to enjoy his retirement.
