BREAKING: Legendary Black Sabbath Tony Iommi Ca…read more.
June 25, 2025 — Tony Iommi, guitarist of Black Sabbath, has praised his longtime friend Lemmy Kilmister, calling him the perfect example of what rock and roll is all about. In a recent interview with BBC Midlands Today, Iommi reflected on Lemmy’s wild lifestyle and deep love for music.
“Lemmy really lived the rock and roll life — the music, the attitude, everything. He never faked it,” Iommi said, noting that Lemmy always stayed true to who he was.
Iommi also talked about Lemmy’s heavy drinking during tours, saying he rarely ate and mostly ran on Jack Daniel’s, vodka, and beer. “That’s how he lived — and he never slowed down,” Iommi laughed.
Their friendship started in the 1970s when Lemmy was still in Hawkwind. Over the years, Motorhead often joined Black Sabbath on tour, and the two became close through their shared love of music and touring.
Now battling health issues himself, Iommi admired Lemmy’s strength. “Even when he was seriously ill, Lemmy still wanted to perform. He only stopped when he absolutely had to. That’s real dedication,” he said.
Lemmy passed away in December 2015, but his legend lives on. Iommi’s words are a powerful reminder of the energy and passion Lemmy brought to the world of rock.
“Lemmy didn’t just play rock — he was rock,” Iommi said, summing up the lasting impact of his friend and one of music’s most unforgettable figures.
