Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi holds auction to raise money for NHS hospital charity
During the coronavirus pandemic
Last updated 7th Apr 2020
Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi is auctioning off a number of his personal possessions to raise money for Birmingham’s Heartlands Hospital Charity during the coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking about the auction over the weekend, Tony explained that he was due to announce another “Evening with Tony Iommi” event to raise money for the Birmingham hospitals “when this awful virus struck.”
Tony added: “Now as all charitable events have been cancelled, I wanted to still do something to help. So, I’ve put a few things together of my own up for auction. All the money raised will go to the Birmingham’s Heartlands hospital charity.
“Please! I hope that you can help, they really do need our support! Without these doctors and nurses, what would we do…. we owe them so much!”
The auction officially went live on eBay last night (6th April) and the star lot is undoubtedly Tony Iommi’s signed Epiphone SG guitar, which, at the time of writing, has a top bid of £3,400.
The other five items in the auction are also all autographed. They are as follows:
Black Sabbath – Dehumanizer 2 CD Edition Remastered with Live Bonus Tracks
Black Sabbath – The End Vinyl 3 discs
Black Sabbath – Supersonic Years Box Set
Black Sabbath – The End – DVD and 3 CDs
Black Sabbath - Japanese DVD Box Set ‘The End’
View the auction here
As an extra incentive, shipping is completely free and the items will be sent to anywhere in the world.
Speaking about the auction to Birmingham Live, Tony said: “I am patron of the cancer ward at Heartlands. I was hoping to do an ‘In Conversation’ live show to boost the Ward 19 charity fund but obviously we’ve had to think again.
“I was spending self-isolation clearing the studio, and hit on the idea of an auction.
“I’ve washed the car, cleaned the garage out, done all those little jobs that you realise needed doing, just like everyone else.
“Maria and I have been binge-watching TV, too – we’ve been doing Ozark and Boardwalk Empire – and I’ve been playing guitar. It’s a bit like being on tour, without getting out to play. You’re stuck in the room each night.
“Neighbours have dropped a note through the door, asking if I want any shopping. They’re looking out for the poor old sod!
“I think this has brought us all closer. I’m even in touch with Ozzy every day as he gets over his own health problems in LA.”
The Birmingham Heartlands Hospital Charity is part of a group of four hospital charities, supporting patients, families and staff.