Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has said he is ‘upbeat and determined’ after being diagnosed with early-stage lymphoma.
Posting on Facebook, Black Sabbath announced the news of Iommi’s illness, writing that he is ‘working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan’, before adding Iommi’s ‘bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time’.
The reports of Iommi’s illness come not long after Black Sabbath’s original line-up announced their return with plans to record a new album in the presence of acclaimed producer Rick Rubin. Sabbath are pressing on with those sessions, but are now planning to relocate back to England from Los Angeles to allow their guitarist to undergo medical treatment.
However, doubts have unsurprisingly been raised as to whether Iommi will be in a fit enough condition to take part in Black Sabbath’s planned tour dates later this year, with the band insisting ‘further information will be released as it becomes available’.