Tony Iommi Scholarship Raises Over £15,000 For Birmingham’s Next Generation Of Musicians

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has helped raise more than £15,000 for a new scholarship at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, giving young musicians from his home city extra support as they work towards a career in music.

The Tony Iommi Scholarship was launched at a sell-out Evening with… event in the Conservatoire’s Bradshaw Hall on Thursday 17 September, with all proceeds from the night going straight into the scholarship fund.

In front of a packed audience, the guitarist spoke about his extraordinary life and career, from the factory accident that nearly ended it all as a teenager to Black Sabbath’s farewell show on home turf in July 2025.

Speaking after the event, Tony Iommi said: “It’s hard for young musicians to get started and keep their momentum. I’m proud of Birmingham’s musical heritage, and we need to keep growing the opportunities for music in the city.

“Helping students from Birmingham focus on their practice and performance at the Conservatoire is a real joy, and the students who played tonight were excellent.”

Those students set the tone from the very start. Iommi was welcomed onto the stage by string quartet Jezt, whose members met while studying violin, viola and cello at the Conservatoire, with a string quartet version of Black Sabbath’s Paranoid.

The evening was hosted by sports broadcaster and journalist Gary Newbon MBE, a close friend of Iommi’s who has shared the stage with him at similar events in the past.

“I’ve known Tony for a long time, and we’ve done events like this before, but I always learn something new about his time on the road, the origins of an iconic track, or an exciting project he’s working on,” said Newbon.

He added that the reach of Iommi’s influence was clear from the crowd itself. “The importance of his contribution to music and the city of Birmingham is reflected in how far some of the audience travelled to be part of this event.”

Fans had flown in from North America, South America and other parts of Europe for the one-night-only event, joining plenty of local supporters from across Birmingham.

Among the stories Iommi shared was the accident that could have ended his musical ambitions before his career had properly begun. At the age of 17, while working in a factory, he lost the tips of two fingers on his right hand in an industrial accident.

As a left-handed guitarist, those were the fingers he relied on at the fretboard, and he was warned that his playing days might be over. He refused to accept it.

Taking inspiration from jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt, who famously overcame a badly burned fretting hand, Iommi adapted his technique and developed prosthetic fingertips so he could keep playing.

Those adjustments went on to shape the heavy, distinctive guitar style that became a defining part of Black Sabbath’s sound, and one that has influenced generations of rock and metal players since.

Iommi also looked back on receiving his MBE for his contributions to music and charity, and on Black Sabbath’s final performance at Villa Park in July 2025.

The Back to the Beginning concert reunited him with Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for the band’s last ever live show. Osbourne died on 22 July 2025, just over two weeks after the concert.

The talk was not only about the past, though. Iommi discussed his continuing musical projects and his forthcoming solo album, From the Dark, which is due for release in October.

The Evening with… attracted a host of well-known faces from the music world, including singer and actress Toyah Willcox, guitarist Robert Fripp and Birmingham-born drummer Bev Bevan, among many others.

Also in attendance was Dr Keith Bradshaw OBE DL, whose £1 million donation helped support Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and led to the naming of Bradshaw Hall.

Stephen Maddock OBE, Principal of the Conservatoire, said: “Having music legends like Tony Iommi supporting our students is such a boost for their confidence early in their careers.

“I’m proud that RBC is a thriving hub of music and acting talent, representing genres and students from all walks of life. From opera to chamber music, jazz to folk, and now drum and bass to heavy metal we firmly believe that talent, no matter where it has come from, deserves the opportunity to flourish.”

He went on to thank everyone who made the night possible. “I am incredibly grateful to Tony and Gary for making this Evening with… possible, as well as all our donors, guests and fans of Tony and Black Sabbath who have contributed to the Tony Iommi Scholarship. This financial support will be vital in the coming months and years.”

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is part of Birmingham City University (BCU), which traces its history back to 1843. The university is also home to the award-winning School of Jewellery and the STEAMhouse innovation centre, and its strategy, Rooted in Birmingham, Reaching Beyond, is committed to regenerating the city and enhancing communities across the West Midlands.

For Tony Iommi, the new scholarship is another way of giving back to the city where Black Sabbath began, and where the next generation of Birmingham musicians is now getting a helping hand from one of its most famous sons.