BREAKING: Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi H…read more.
June 25, 2025 — Legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has described the late Lemmy Kilmister as the purest form of rock and roll. In a heartfelt interview, Iommi reflected on their longtime friendship and the Motorhead frontman’s larger-than-life legacy.
“To me, Lemmy truly represented rock and roll — not just the music, but the whole way of life,” Iommi said. “He lived it with total honesty and intensity.”
Recalling wild tour memories, Iommi highlighted Lemmy’s notorious habits. “He barely touched food. He lived off bottles of Jack Daniel’s and vodka, with cases of beer. It’s incredible how he kept going,” he shared with amazement.
The two musicians first met in the early ’70s, and their bond only grew stronger as Motorhead often joined Black Sabbath on tour over the decades. Their mutual respect was built on years of shared stages, stories, and survival in the music world.
Now dealing with his own health challenges, Iommi expressed admiration for Lemmy’s resilience. “Even when Lemmy was seriously sick, he insisted on performing. He wouldn’t cancel shows unless absolutely necessary. That kind of dedication is rare,” Iommi said.
Lemmy passed away in late 2015, just days after being diagnosed with cancer. Despite his death, his influence remains deeply rooted in rock culture.
“Lemmy didn’t pretend — he was the real deal,” Iommi concluded. “He didn’t just play rock and roll. He was rock and roll.”
