Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi Receives "Lifetime Achievement" Award From Guitar Museum

The National Guitar Museum announced that its annual Lifetime Achievement Award is being awarded to Tony Iommi, legendary guitarist and founder of Black Sabbath.

Iommi is the sixth recipient of the award, joining previous recipients Honeyboy Edwards, Roger McGuinn, B.B. King, Vic Flick, and Buddy Guy. Recipients are recognized for a lifetime of contributing to the legacy of the guitar and having a singular importance to the development and historical appreciation of the instrument.

Said Iommi, who embarks tonight on Black Sabbath’s final tour,

“I'm very honoured by this award from The National GUITAR Museum. The guitar has been an important part of my life for most of my life, and I'm happy to have contributed to its legacy. Not only that, but I have just the place for this award in my new studio!"

According to HP Newquist, NGM executive director

"This year, the choice for us was obvious. With Tony embarking on a final tour, his recorded work now marking nearly 50 years, and the charitable work he's been involved in, this was the time to ensure that his work was recognized. Tony’s guitar playing has inspired countless numbers of guitarists to follow in his wake, and few guitarists can match his lifetime of achievements."

Accompanying the award, Epiphone Guitars contributed a left-handed model of Iommi's signature SG line, which was launched this past year, to the museum. It will become part of the NGM's permanent collection.