In his long, storied career as lead guitarist of legendary metal band Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi probably never imagined (even in his most wild imagination) that a prehistoric fossil would be named after him. But the guitarist has just landed himself in palaeontology history after a 469 million year old fossil has been named in his honour.
Great to meet Mats and Esben today and receive an amazing replica of the Iommi fossil! And thanks to Mike Olley and Steve at The Velvet Music Rooms. pic.twitter.com/8vgr99Tx7n
— Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi) July 3, 2023
Widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time and primary song writer for what most metal fans would consider the seminal and greatest ever band in the genre-Black Sabbath-Tony Iommi has accomplished pretty much everything there is in the world of rock superstardom. Perhaps that is why, when palaeontologist Mats Eriksson discovered a 469 million year old fossil, he thought of the Birmingham based virtuoso-although it probably doesn’t hurt that Eriksson is an avid metal fan himself.
The new species, a pre-historic eel like marine creature, has been dubbed Drepanoistodus Iommii, in honour of what Eriksson considers his all time favourite musician. Eriksson then found himself heading to Birmingham-the home of Iommi and origin of Black Sabbath to present Iommi with a life-size replica model of the fossil.
Iommi himself expressed some shock that a scientist would name a fossil after him but he was also equally humbled by it as well. Speaking about the naming, Iommi said, “when I first heard about this, it was a real shock to hear that a fossil’s been named after me! I’ve had a bit of abuse from from my friends about it who’ve enjoyed calling me an old fossil, but I think it’s great, a real honour. This has to be the weirdest thing that’s ever been named after me but I’m really proud of it and I wanted to thank Mats and his team in person for being such brilliant fans.”
Although Iommi is the latest heavy rock musician to be esteemed in such a way, it’s also not the first time Eriksson has bestowed the honour upon metal musicians with Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse, King Diamond and Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead also enshrined. Other fossils have been named after metal music or musicians in the past as well.
Iommi, who was diagnosed with early stage lymphoma over a decade ago, recently described his health as being all in all good and has claimed that his busy lifestyle has kept his overall health in shape. He also recently revealed that a Black Sabbath reunion, with all original members, is not off the table and that perhaps, if everything is right, a show could happen in future. Metal fans will eagerly await that news, should it come to pass.
