Tony Iommi - Tony Iommi Thanks Fans For Supporting His Cancer Battle

It was revealed earlier this week that the 63year-old musician from Black Sabbath had 'positive vibes' over facing lymphoma treatment. Talking on his website, Iommi said: 'I just want to say how overwhelmed I am with all your messages of support, thank you so much. It's really good that the guys are coming over so we can work on the album as things are going great.'

Left-handed guitarist Iommi had lost the tips of two fingers when working in a sheet metal factory as a teenager but used thimble-like devices to elongate his fingers and learn how to play. Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward from Birmingham made their debut as Black Sabbath in 1969 and became hugely influential over the decades. Even though Osbourne was axed from the line-up in 1979 and replaced by Ronnie James Dio who died of cancer in 2010, the four-piece announced last year they are working on their first album together for 33 years. Since the 1970s, the pioneers in English metal have celebrated sales of 70 million worldwide, having also had 22 entries on the Billboard 200.