Tony Iommi ‘Doesn’t Deny’ Black Sabbath Reunion Discussions, Says Manager

Black Sabbath's camp has yet to fully deny yesterday's widely circulated report that the original lineup of the band would reunite for an album and tour, despite Tony Iommi's angry response to the breaking story. In fact, according to the guitarist's manager, "He's not denying that the guys have been talking."

Tommy Iommi's manager, Ralph Baker, spoke with the Birmingham Mail after Iommi reacted to the paper's original story which stated the band was getting back together. Baker wouldn't say the story was untrue, despite his client angrily calling the story "speculation." However he did tell the Birmingham Mail, "...there's nothing [planned] in the way that's been implied in the statements that you made."

Writer Andy Coleman wrote the original story, and also talked to Baker following Iommi's statement, despite the legend's previous promise, "I hope he’s enjoyed his moment of glory, he won’t have another at my expense."

If the original story is accurate, there seems to be little doubt Iommi at least thought Black Sabbath was reuniting. ‘‘I had umpteen number of people on the phone asking if I fancied getting together with a band but I couldn’t tell them what I was doing. I just had to say I was busy," he says.

‘‘It’s all been very hush-hush. Ozzy’s been the worst at trying to hold it back. He’s doing a lot of TV and he’s being asked stuff about a reunion and he’s going ‘well I never say never’."

We certainly won't speculate on the band's future, as it seems to be an unhealthy thing to do, but we will closely monitor the band's official website with the eagerness of a child on Christmas morning. Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler tried to officially reunite for a new album once in the late '90s, but gave up after recording only a few songs.

In fact, the original lineup hasn't recorded a new album together since 1978. Osbourne was kicked out of the band shortly after, only to become an even larger star with his own solo career. If you need a refresher on what the foursome accomplished together, check out our newly-published list of the 10 Best Black Sabbath songs.