The Horrific Accident That Created Heavy Metal

So, the guy that created Heavy Metal lost his finger tips to a heavy piece of metal... The universe is beautiful.

Losing your fingertips in an industrial accident in a metal press, overcoming the odds and inventing a new genre of music as a byproduct is the most metal thing in the history of metal music

As a young musician I used to find it strange how fond Iommi was of power chords. I used to joke he sounded like he couldn’t play any other chords. Poor guy, maybe I was right. I have lots of respect for him carrying on for so many years.

I started playing in 1979 . My father said I'd give it up in a week . 3 years ago my thumb was turning black and a Dr told me It was a fungal infection. Until a year later it ruptured . Went to a hand surgeon and his eyes widened " How Long ? " . It was biopsied and came back malignant melanoma .Immediately scheduled for amputation and a lymph node biopsy .My girlfriend of 20 years never heard me play since I was shy .I played a night before amputation for her . Blood covering the strings and crying .. Let me show you !! listen . She was stunned and I flew like an eagle . My thumb was removed and the scans and biopsy came back ..It was now Stage 4 Cancer with three brain tumors .Expected not to live through the summer of 2020 . But here I am !! Playing the best I ever have .. Get back on that horse . Never give up and make what is seen as a disability .. An asset

Metal took his fingers, later, what's left of his fingers forged the heavy metal. What a legend

It’s incredible that his former manager gifting him that album motivated him to keep going. That man needs more recognization than “former manager” we may have not had the heavy metal we have today without that small significant gesture

Where there's a will, there's a way. Tony goes from maimed blue collar man to guitar legend, all because he refused to just accept his lot in life. Tony's also one of the most articulate people you'll ever hear in an interview and a very well liked man.

So happy that Tony decided to struggle on, his work is inspirational.

I cannot imagine, how many times Tony has told this story in his life

Imagine, his last day of working there before he quits for his band. He probably thought “Wow my dream as a guitarist is ruined, and it just had to be on my last day of work” But instead he didn’t give up, and invented a whole new genre of music. Respect

Tony Iommi was my childhood hero. My dad and I loved listening to his solos and old Black Sabbath. When my dad told me that he lost the tip of his finger and created metal with it, I lost my shit. I was amazed, and hearing his music always reminds me of the struggle he went through to absolutely change music forever.

This short documentary on Tony Iommi and his near tragic accident is absolutely BRILLIANT! Congrat's and Kudos for producing it; I hope it gets many millions of views; and I wish more YouTube content creators were as adept and succinct as you are here, with your perfect narration, audio levels and editing. Really great work; I have so much more respect and admiration for the legend Tony Iommi because of this five minute video. I always knew he had been injured, but I never knew the extent or details. Thanks again for this!

Out of the worst accidents can come something great.

As a nine fingered guitarist myself , he’s an inspiration!

There are many musicians that inspired other people to become musicians, like Hendrix and Page, but Tony's sound has inspired entire genres. Not a lot a bands flat out sound like Hendrix or Led Zeppelin (worthy of note at any rate) but tons of great bands sound like Black Sabbath.

Tony's autobiography is a MUST READ! So much excellent history and hilarious stories. How they used to mess with Bill is gut busting!

What an Inspiration, he didn't give up and he played guitar like no other for his time!!😊✌

When life cuts off your finger tips, create heavy metal

Very inspiring story....He had an accident but his love for the music made him to create something new and succesfull .Respect.

After deforming my finger, I got even more serious about playing guitar. I always loved playing but those 2 months of not knowing if I'd be able to play again, was enough to make me serious. Been practicing almost daily, since.