Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi Hoping to Complete Cancer Treatment This Year

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has announced he expects to finish treatment for cancer at some point this year.

In a New Year's message posted on his website, Iommi thanked his fans for their ongoing support and said he hopes to get the "all clear," health-wise, in 2014.

"We've some good things lined up for the coming year, firstly the Grammys, then some dates in the U.S. and Canada, and in the summer a quick trip round Europe," Iommi wrote. "I should also be finishing my regular treatment and I’m hoping to not get so tired, all positive."

As has been widely reported, Iommi has being undergoing treatment for lymphoma. He was diagnosed in January 2012.

"When we were writing this album and he was going through his treatment, I thought to myself, 'He ain't gonna fucking make it. How can he?,' Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne told NME last year. "He'd come down some days and look so tired. He's a good guy, Tony. And he's a fucking great guitar player. I just keep my fingers crossed it don't return."

Damian Fanelli
Editor-in-Chief, Guitar World

Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.