The Strange Tony Iommi Collaboration That Almost Was
Tony Iommi has worked with a number of vocalists during his long tenure in rock, including Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie James Dio and Glenn Hughes, among others.
But he surprised attendees during a talk on Monday (October 23) at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles by revealing that Eminem wanted to be part of his 2000 solo album, Iommi.
The album featured a number of other guests — including Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, Billy Corgan, Queen’s Brian May, System of a Down’s Serj Tankian, Pantera’s Phil Anselmo, rapper Ice-T and Henry Rollins — but Eminem’s request was turned down because Iommi didn’t know who he was at that time (the rapper’s first album, The Slim Shady LP, came out as Iommi was recording). Ironically Eminem’s homie Kid Rock recorded a track for the Iommi album that didn’t make the final cut.
Iommi is in Los Angeles to receive a career honor at the Loudwire Music Awards tonight (October 24), which will be broadcast live on AXS. Sammy Hagar and Judas Priest’s Rob Halford will also be honored, with Halford, Avenged Sevenfold, Halestorm, In This Moment, Ice-T’s Body Count, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine and more slated to perform.
Gary Graff is an award-winning music journalist who not only covers music but has written books on Bob Seger, Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen.
