Tony Iommi Is Giving Away One of His Gibson SGs to Support the Hospital That Helped Him Beat Cancer

Tony Iommi — the architect of heavy metal riffing and the unmistakable sound of Black Sabbath — is offering fans a rare chance to own one of his personal Gibson SG guitars. The reason behind it is deeply meaningful: all proceeds from the raffle will go toward the Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, where Iommi underwent cancer treatment.

The guitarist was diagnosed with lymphoma back in 2012 and continued receiving care for four years, eventually entering remission in 2016. Now he’s giving back to the medical team that guided him through the toughest chapter of his life.

The hospital is currently raising around £150,000 to renovate and upgrade its cancer treatment center, and Iommi hopes that parting with his SG will help push the campaign forward.

🎟 When will the raffle begin?

Fans will have a full month to purchase raffle tickets. Iommi will announce the launch date on his Instagram, and the guitar on offer comes directly from his own SG arsenal — instruments he’s relied on throughout his career.

💬 Iommi on why this cause matters

Speaking with the BBC, he recalled the moment he received his diagnosis:
“It hits you like nothing else. You never really understand what someone goes through until you’re in that position yourself. I know how hard it is, and that’s why I want to do something in return. I’m grateful for the people who helped me, and I want to contribute.”

One of the key upgrades on the hospital’s list is a set of specialized chemotherapy chairs.
“The more comfort a patient has, the better,” Iommi explains. “When I was there, everyone treated me incredibly well — the nurses, the staff, everyone. Having the right environment makes a huge difference.”

🎸 Meanwhile in Iommi’s musical world…

Following Black Sabbath’s monumental Back to the Beginning farewell event, Iommi is back in his studio crafting his next solo album. He’s taking his time: the record involves orchestral elements and Kemper profiling, and he’s in no rush to finish something so personal.

Earlier this year, Gibson also reissued his signature pickup set, giving players another way to chase his unmistakable tone.

Iommi has spoken at length about his lifelong bond with the SG — why he ultimately chose it over the Les Paul he once dreamed of, and the mysterious disappearance of two of his custom white SGs.

And in parallel, another SG is headed to auction: the mysterious guitar Kirk Hammett used onstage at Back to the Beginning, which is already stirring excitement among collectors.