Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has collaborated with acclaimed rock photographer Ross Halfin on a new coffee-table book titled Iommi: The Photographs. The 340-page publication is due out in October 2024, and is available for pre-order now at RufusPublications.com.
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Iommi: The Photographs documents the rock legend’s career from Black Sabbath’s early days through the Birmingham Royal Ballet production featuring the band’s music that premiered in 2023.
The book features the 76-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s written commentary and recollections. It also boasts a carefully chosen selection of photos curated by Halfin, many of which are from Ross’ own archives. In addition, the book features written contributions from Ozzy Osbourne, Queen’s Brian May, Metallica’s James Hetfield, and Pantera’s Phil Anselmo.
New Trailer for the Iommi Photo Book Has Premiered
A new trailer promoting the book has debuted at the Rufus Publishing company’s official YouTube channel.
The clip features a montage of photos of Iommi with various Black Sabbath lineups, including performing at variety of concerts. Among the photos are pics of Iommi with Osbourne, Ronnie James Dio, and Ian Gillan.
The video is accompanied by quotes from Iommi and some of the book’s other famous contributors.
“These photographs represent my career and the memories they conjure up remind me of what a fantastic journey I’ve been on,” reads Iommi’s quote from the trailer.
Osbourne writes of his longtime bandmate, “He’s so talented, I find it almost intimidating. I looked up to him. He’s like the big brother I never had.”
May says, “The book is a historic document to study and enjoy—featuring a true model of a great musician and a great human being.”
Hetfield writes about Iommi’s famously ominous riffs. “The Devil’s triad,” he notes. “Sinister and foreboding. It scares me yet comforts me at the same time.”
Anselmo enthuses, “Bow down to his image, kneel before his guitar tone, and sing his songs in reverence—all hail The Great One, Tony Iommi.”
Iommi’s Statement About the Book
In a press release, Iommi tips his hat to Halfin for the photographer’s efforts to put the book together.
“I really appreciate all the work Ross has put in, both as a photographer and editor of the book,” Iommi says. “So often I’d look down from the stage and there in the middle of the moshpit would be Ross fighting his corner to get just the right shot. Cheers Ross, the book is a testament to our long friendship and the many defining moments in my life you’ve captured.”
May’s Comments in the Introduction
May, who is a longtime friend of Iommi, wrote the book’s introduction. In the section, he wrote, “Ross Halfin has captured images of Tony in a huge number of settings over the years, as you will see in this book. The pictures show a man of great power and presence, as befits a giant riffmeister”.
Two Editions of the Book Are Available
Standard and Deluxe limited-edition versions of Iommi: The Photographs are available. Only 500 copies of the Deluxe version are available, each hand-signed by Iommi. The Deluxe book is housed in a luxury slipcase with gold-foil embossing, and comes packaged with a 3-D lenticular. The Standard edition features a printed hardback cover and is housed in a slipcase.
The Standard and Deluxe books are priced at $126.72 and $320, respectively. If you purchase your copy by July 31, the respective prices will be discounted to $102.40 and $256.
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