Spinner

Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi Speaks of Fan Fondness for 'Heaven and Hell'

Any band with a long history and pedigree behind them will have different periods and eras that mean different things to different fans, and Black Sabbath, the originators of heavy metal as we know it, are no exception.

On the eve of the release of deluxe editions of the band's three classic Ronnie James Dio-era albums -- 1980's 'Heaven and Hell,' 1981's 'Mob Rules' and 1982's 'Live Evil' -- guitarist Tony Iommi spoke to Spinner about why he thought this trio of albums is so fondly regarded by Black Sabbath's legions of fans.

"Yeah, it's funny," Iommi says. "That period, for people like [Foo Fighters frontman] Dave Grohl, that was their first introduction to some of the Sabbath stuff and then they went back to the earlier stuff. Those albums have been very good for us and I love that period. I really enjoyed doing those albums and the challenge of it all."

Fans of the era will be well-served when the band -- singer Ronnie James Dio, Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Vinny Appice -- play as Heaven and Hell at the Sonisphere festival in Spain on July 10, the High Voltage festival in London on July 24 and the Bloodstock festival in Derbyshire on Aug. 15.

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michael

as a kid i grew up to an amazing voice like ronnie james dio... been to all his concerts and never missed one. im going to miss him, he was one of a kind like elvis presley, they come in are lifes and leave us to soon but as you will always know like ronnie would have said. at night go out side and look in the sky, and you will see a rainbow in the dark....and he was standing the first in line for us children of the dark god bless his family my heart goes out to them and we know he is in heaven... and we will soon be with him and the rest like randy roads and the singer of queen freddy.... and elvis will be there showing them the ropes god bless all and long live ronnie james dio. sincer michael lindsay

May 17 2010 at 3:05 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
LAV Russia

We, Russian Heaven and Hell fans, think that, due to Ronnie's condition, it won't be the same HH as in 2007 - 2009 ...

April 03 2010 at 12:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Booker T. Johnston

Dropping Ozzy and adding Ronnie was one of the best thing's Black Sabbath ever did. I would love to see more of you guy's. "BRING BACK THE 80'S" !! Most new Metal is just horrible vocals. RONNIE WAS AND STILL IS THE BEST OF ALL TIME!

April 02 2010 at 1:58 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
terminator22

HEAVEN AND HELL ROCKS!!!! COME BACK TO THE U.S.!!! GET WELL RJD!!

April 01 2010 at 9:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply