2014.07.30 - Birmingham Mail - Slash: 'Tony Iommi is Pride of Birmingham and deserves a medal'

Slash: 'Tony Iommi is Pride of Birmingham and deserves a medal'

Guns N’ Roses guitar hero nominates Black Sabbath legend for prestigious award

By Paul Cole

Black Sabbath rock legend Tony Iommi has been nominated for a prestigious Pride of Birmingham Award.

And the awards nod has come from someone who knows what he is talking about – guitar hero Slash.

The Guns N’ Roses guitarist turned solo star says that Brummie Tony is an inspiration not just in Brum but worldwide.

And he praised the 66-year-old rocker’s determination to battle on after treatment for cancer.

“Tony is one of those guys who inspires everyone,” said Slash, 49, who was born Saul Hudson in Stoke-on-Trent but now lives in LA.

“I was brought up on Black Sabbath and he is one of the best rock and roll guitarists out there. As a fellow player I can really appreciate all the nuances of his technique – he is one hell of a guitar player.

“This is the man who invented heavy metal in Birmingham and created Sabbath, a brand nobody can touch.

“Everyone you meet in rock circles will tell you that they were inspired by Black Sabbath and the band’s influence is immeasurable.

“Besides which, Tony is a great guy and we’ve met on a number of occasions. There’s just no stopping him. He comes down with lymphoma and what does he do? Reform Sabbath and do a world tour.

“He really is the Pride of Birmingham and he deserves a f******g medal.”

Guitarist Tony has just finished his latest course of treatment, and concluded a marathon world tour with his Black Sabbath bandmates Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Tommy Clufetos.

He is one of the guest presenters at the Pride of Birmingham Awards, organised by the Birmingham Mail in association with Virgin Trains at the city’s historic Town Hall on September 26.

Other presenters joining host Gaby Roslin on the night include BRIT Awards nominee Laura Mvula, songbird Ruby Turner, pop wizard Roy Wood and UB40 legend Ali Campbell.

Sporting stars will include Aston Villa legends Dion Dublin and Ian Taylor. From film and TV come celebrity chef Glynn Purnell, James and Oliver Phelps – the Weasley twins from the Harry Potter movies – and Doctors favourites Ian Kelsey and Lorna Laidlaw.

The event also boasts live entertainment from comedienne Barbara Nice, Black Voices, singer-songrwiter Abi Phillips, country stars My Darling Clementine, Aston Performing Arts Academy, Birmingham City Council Choir and The People’s Orchestra.

The Pride of Birmingham awards celebrate the courage, caring and compassion of remarkable people who make a difference.

Nominations close at midnight on Thursday July 31.

Tickets for Pride of Birmingham, priced £20, are available from the Town Hall box office on 0121 345 0600 and online at www.thsh.co.uk.

Each ticket includes a donation to the £1 million campaign to set up Europe’s first Rare Diseases Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, teaming medics and researchers from the QE, Children’s Hospital and Birmingham University.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/slash-tony-iommi-pride-birmingham-7531285