Tony Iommi remembers old mate Lemmy (Part 1)

Tony Iommi, 29 December 2015, at home in Birmingham, remembers his old mate Lemmy of Motorhead who sadly missed today. Tony tells stories of their friendship.

[@nunyabizness9787]

I read one of Tony's Lemmy stories that was hilarious. He said Motorhead were doing a sound check, and Lemmy asked the guy running the monitor, "Can you hear a really horrible, awful noise coming out of my monitor?" The sound guy said, "No." Lemmy said, "I can't either! Turn my bass up!" :)

[@telecasteredtodeath]

Tony Iommi would have to be the most likable genuine rock star ever. Never has a bad word to say of anyone and happy to give his time to chat about things other than himself. What a champ.

[@wyldeyouth]

He did fuck Dio over. Dishonored him even.

[@oopsydaizi3s824]

Ozzy thought differently

[@rexrogers1859]

@@oopsydaizi3s824 So did Patrick Star.....

[@csnide6702]

@@rexrogers1859 and Lita Ford..... 😁

[@faradayfelix]

​@@oopsydaizi3s824Didn't he bully Ozzy at school? I'm sure he mentioned when Ozzy knocked on to audition for the band he saw him and thought "This is the kid I used to knock about".....but Ozzy had a P.A. and they needed a frontman 😅

[@robertbishop679]

Legend remembering a legend.

[@sailorpsycho]

+Robert Bishop I think you meant: "The Riffmaster remembers a fallen mate"....

[@smileysatanson3404]

what kind of christopher nolan inception shit IS this? XD

[@raymccormick5659]

The Guitar riff master remembering the Distorted Rickenbacker riff master.

[@plasticweapon]

what about a legend remembering a legend remembering a legend remembering...

[@cinimodg0251]

So wholesome

[@alextomich]

I've always liked how soft-spoken Tony is. Compare his voice to the sound he makes on his SG, and the contrast is night and day!

[@fabiopunk1661]

Totally agree

[@TheRiboka]

seems like the best guy in the world to just have a chat and a beer with

[@iblockpuncheswithmyface1490]

A great storyteller.

[@matthewlacey5307]

great Brummie

[@graemeparrington2841]

Always had the same thought process when watching Steve Harris interviews; running around like a loon, strafing the punters with bass lines, staring in to their eyes/mouthing the words back. Softly spoken/painfully shy in interviews, though.

[@xendava8495]

Tony has the best voice. I could listen to him talk for hours.

[@MB-oc1nw]

Sounds exactly like my dad did...northern English, Birmingham/West Midlands accent

[@BRIANDER100]

he needs subtitles----like don vito

[@xXcampx]

fun fact: when Gilbert Godfried was squeezed out as the Aflec duck, Tony auditioned for the part!

[@harold-sweat-head8111]

A legend paying tribute to a legend.

[@mjrydsfast]

Right on

[@ninamc6116]

It’s amazing how quiet & mellowTony is when he speaks. His guitar playing is loud & aggressive. Like an alter ego. RIP Lemmy. I love Sabbath & Motörhead. Decades of great music

[@jefflawson3574]

Quiet but with the same weight, space, and presence as his riffs :)

[@SleepingGiant45]

I like how a man this soft spoken and nice can make the guitar sound like the devil.

[@michaelr.4878]

I'm 43 now..and in the past decade or so, I have slowly watched as the musicans and 'stars' of my childhood and adolescence slowly pass away. The first batch of deaths that made me realize that in my lifetime, I'm going to essentially watch all of my favorite musicians die (If I'm lucky enough to live to an old age, of course), as when the Ramone started dying. Frig, it has been almost 24 years since Joey Ramone died. Time flies. But after he died, Dee Dee soon after. Then a couple of years later, Johnny died....and a decade ago, Tommy died. All 4 original members of the Ramones are gone. We lost Charlie Watts not that long ago....Brian Joes died like 50 years ago....the rest of the band are in their early 80s..it is really sad when you look at it that way. Turning 40 made me look at life totally different. When I was younger, I didn't think about..or even consider mortality ...now, it is almost a daily thought.... We only have so long. ..and it isn't a long period.

[@wardka]

First Zappa, then Dio, then Chris Squire, then Lemmy -- now David Bowie. I really liked all those guys. I'm starting to rethink liking Iommi just to be on the safe side!

[@bigfinger7609]

WBGThunderstruck fuck you bitch

[@jondunmore4268]

Nice to see you're all still fighting like the lame bitches you are. If you reply to me, I WILL NOT ENGAGE your stupidity. Just stop.....

[@DominusLuna]

I understand the sentiment. I think most people do.

[@b.ohlenschlager8985]

Try it with Keith Richards....

[@mark_beastpriest5539]

Paul Di'anno once described Lemmy as crazy, as he was the only one who could drink Paul under the table, get up and still walk away. Unbelievable!

[@Jimmyback1000]

Lovely guy, met him on stage in the Roundhouse, he got me up on stage cos I wanted to take photos. Their first ever gig...cheers Lemmy mate..,xx

[@profanometal26]

Mr Iommi is such a humble person besides a legend... They had great time together back in the days for sure... now is remembrance, that's what life is about...

[@worldssickestmedia2713]

Interviewers always asked the same questions when it came to Lemmy. How much did he drink. How much drugs did he do. How many women has he laid. And what are the musical influences. Same 4 questions for 40 years. It's a shame considering if you got passed that he had a lot more going on for him as far as his lifestyle and intellect. The man was razor sharp.

[@mcfcguvnors]

lems analogy of knives was amazing . knives are personal you feel your victim shaking on the end of the blade - which is why there used to be so little knife crime outside of warfare a gun any moron can use at 50 yards - its unfeeling murder with little risk to the shooter the FACT that knife crimes are ignored cos of the kids colour whos GETTING STABBED is just wrong .

[@roaming740]

tru man he was an intellectuall under all the rock n roll

[@robs639]

I could listen to Tony Iommi all day

[@svartmetall]

I'm now imaging being at those awards and being trapped in a lift with Lemmy, Tony and Sir Christopher Lee. I would have like 5,000 questions I'd love to ask but almost certainly reduced to incoherent drooling at the sheer awesomeness they embodied.

[@robiniapseudoacacia]

Tony has to be the most modest true rock star ever. He always comes across as such a lovely man.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

It just goes to show just how tight the metal scene was in those days, Lemmy knew black Sabbath, he was seen drinking with Status Quo, Rob Halford saw him as a friend, if you toured the UK metal scene in those days you're bound to run into the others and befriend them. That's the cool thing about metal, those guys saw each other as brothers in arms really.

[@jamesp8677]

All cut from the same cloth.....or forged from the same STE-AHHH-EELLLL!!!!

[@mickfallon4989]

A real trooper...that just sums it up, what one legend says about another

[@johndaley8599]

Love listing to Tony's stories, legend wot a guy

[@vladimircokorilo8105]

Man, I didn't realize this until Tony said it, but Lemmy did live a pretty modest and calm life. He didn't live in some gigantic villa with a pool like a rock star, he lived in a nice small apartment and enjoyed life more than anyone. Lemmy wasn't having any of that ego rock star bullshit, he lived like a true rocker, Lemmy was rock and roll.

[@scottkeys6212]

Iommi, Lemmy and Sir Christopher Lee in one room.Wow.

[@maxxaue9246]

Tony is also such a nice person, wish you the best!

[@Rob78169]

Saw Motorhead with Sabbath in 1995 in my hometown of Sudbury Ontario Canada!! Couldnt hear for days after show. Motorhead are still the loudest band ive ever seen.

[@mgmnfld3109]

My absolute favorite band of all time is the Mighty Sabbath. A close second was Motorhead. Lemmy was my personal hero. It's been six years and I still can't believe Lemmy is gone. 🥺

[@maxbeale8186]

I still miss Lemmy

[@loumelillo1790]

Humility has been lost .Thank God it still survive s in the older generations

[@jessemccann9711]

The tribute they had for him at download was absolutely pitiful! Watching Sabbath was on of the highlights of my life. Would have been even better to see Motorhead the night before.

[@ermonski]

Fanbases of bands fight each other while the bands themselves are best of friends

[@meanjoe4299]

Sabbath is the greatest band of all time because of this man

[@jeromewagschal9485]

I can't begin to imagine what a musical collaboration between him and Lemmy would have sounded like...

[@tomcarton7448]

God bless lemmy what a legend!!

[@gregberry1812]

I saw Motorhead open for Sabbath in 94 at the Warfield in SF. Great fucking show!

[@due_2477]

I'd listen to this man talking for hours, his voice is just so calm and peacefull

[@davidmohr1920]

Love this videos just a nice chat with one of our hero's :-)

[@hellraiser7788]

Lemmy brought the HellRaiser outta my life.Thank YOU for your music.R.I.P. The man the myth the true Legend.Long live MotorHead!!!

[@downincognito72]

A brilliant moment , the legends are slowly droppin off. We shd cherish them cause once there gone there gone , I just hope their happy .

[@ettiennegroenewald2901]

+downincognito72 yeah, in hell for eternity.

[@tonypage9302]

Well than I hope hell is where I go when I Die, all you preachy Fanatics can have heaven it sounds horrible up there

[@MichaelWBell]

Great interview, thanks Tony!

[@MrAXE-rv8hl]

One of thr best EVER R.I.P Lemmy....

[@catdieselpower193]

awsome vid!!! LEMMY was the God of the Bass guitar!! and Toni is the God of Lead guitar!!!

[@J.A.Hansen]

I do believe all the legends and great musicians in rock and roll have also a great spirit.And so is Tony. It took a long time until i came into hard rock which started to me with,Hendrix Led Zeppelin,and later Priest,Purple and later Sabbath.To me Sabbath together with Dio Heaven and Hell 》 the song,the album and later the Band been the Alpha and Omega,2 me👌I always liked Lemmys Spirit and his way to talk about things,such a nice Guy,like David Bowie.The Ace of Spades oh yeah.Music in every form is a universal gift in each and every form it can move a mountain,anyway.Great interview,with true musician and Pioneer 🎸✍🎼🔝

[@nunyabidness4220]

Tony's so quiet I've got it fully cranked and can barely hear him. Anyway, I remember in Tony's book he was talking about Lemmy doing a sound-check, and he asked the guy running the soundboard, "Can you hear a horrible ugly noise coming out of my monitor?" and the guy said, "No," and Lemmy said, "Neither can I, turn my bass up!" :)

[@mukhumor]

At the Free Festivals Lemmy slept in a tent. He was the real deal. He wasn't a phony, like some.

[@lambadamarkasi]

God bless you Tony.

[@patrickcannady2066]

I saw Motorhead open for Sabbath...helluva show.

[@anthonygaffney5742]

Imagine someone like him saying that about Lemmy. It's very fucking moving. Rip LEMMY. A year and a half ago a friend of mine a great bass player (Not just saying that) called Pat Huggie Murphy died from throat cancer here in Dublin. He's was 52 and was the biggest Motorhead fan like so many others. Hope u n Lemmy r ripping it up up there in heaven. Rock Is Forever 🎸🎸🎸🎸😁😁😁

[@itkojecockot]

I wanna steal that fine piece of instrument..... on the other hand, even if I did, who would ever believe me it is his guitar :D:D

[@siversteinshamn6777]

What's it matter? You would know. Heist that shit

[@dimethaltryptamine1]

Thanks forever for the HAWKWIND Day's. Vale Lemmy Miss you brother RIP

[@rosaliehagart7497]

😢

[@frankjaszfalvi5221]

Lo ved Hawind but much respect for Lemmy

[@frankjaszfalvi5221]

Hawkind

[@frankjaszfalvi5221]

Hawkwind

[@chrisz31974]

Lemmy is my all time rock and roll hero, but Tony is fucking right up there too. FUCKING legends

[@themonsteraddictmmxvi1564]

I would have given anything to see a Dio era Sabbath gig with Motörhead. Damn this makes me sad.

[@rockdog2843]

How cool is this? Wow.Legend talking about a legend.

[@centralscrutinizer66]

Lemmy wasn't a big eater on account of all the speed.

[@thebomb78]

I love this shit. A friend talking about a friend 🤘🏻

[@RefinedRouge]

Legends never die

[@arch9enius]

Lemmy, Christopher Lee and Tony Iommi in the same room?

[@czwij]

you can keep the ring. it pales compared to what these three could do to middle earth...

[@johnsmith-zx5er]

arch9enius minus Christopher lee ok

[@arch9enius]

I'm sure Christopher Lee could tell some tales, if he was telling..

[@valentins.2637]

I don't think anyone can hear those deep tones

[@suhijo]

Sir. Christopher

[@itkojecockot]

FUCK, I'm gonna miss Sabbath.......

[@thebomb78]

Legends boys.

[@Majnun74]

Great fellow!

[@uncleremus5046]

Best riff writer ever Tony Iommi! Maybe you could argue Page but metal definitely Iommi.

[@DokktorDeth]

Blackmore

[@seinfeld8812]

Sabbath and Zeppelin were friends and somewhere there is a jam of all of them....rumored of course.

[@Doomdogs]

Great !! ...very good and interesting (as always with Mr Iommi) \m/ !!! /Christer DOOMDOGS

[@smileysatanson3404]

how would you remember lemmy? loud drunk good hearted bastard with attitude and a damn fucking great bass player XD

[@robgunnAK47]

Tony has a voice like Planet caravan and yet we all know he can change into a Paranoid Ironman.

[@dannymcmince]

True words, I remember seeing Sabbath and Motorhead in Dublin 1985, great gig except for Brian Robertson pissed and wearing an orange jump suit!!!

[@stewartchampion4260]

HAHA i love thin lizzy especially the robertson era,,, i find it funny and like the way robertson wore his shorts n head band in motorhead,looked like he was going to dance school , ,bloke was a punk, looked different too the whole room,,, punk no? yes he looked a tit tho,,, but still i find it funny ,old robbo a right nutter,,, great guitarist tho this be straight on that one

[@dannymcmince]

@@stewartchampion4260 well said bro🤘

[@ultimatemetalguitartones]

Bigger than life figures...

[@gudgengrebe]

Tony mentioned Lemmy’s honesty: I think that quality is so often overlooked and undervalued. An honest, decent man is a rarity and should be celebrated. There are a lot of people who trample the competition underfoot to ‘get ahead’ and there’s a lot of hypocritical posturing that goes on (virtue signalling) all they ever ask is how many drugs did he take and how many women…. It’s how you behave towards others that counts. Who is the real man.

[@shaiyan4697]

80+ times Mr. Iommi, Motörhead travelled with you.

[@wyldeyouth]

How do you know this?

[@homegrownpa]

Nice words

[@d24461]

im a little girdle from surrey... papa gave me a job as a music journo... oh how did you yo know Lemmy.. I would love to be like you guys but mamma and papa wouldn't let me out at 6.

[@kevinmcc3147]

He was like keith moon he wanted to live his life how he wanted to

[@timemerich]

i put bands up in my penthouse

[@theheavycreepysound2231]

THE LORD.

[@CrazyhorseDK]

120 decibel or bust quote Lem

[@stevew6910]

Funny, You know they also said a oz of coke every few days along with the jack

[@groverjuicy]

Volume anyone?

[@azreenfenner8628]

groverjuicy im wearing a earphone for that

[@estebanjacobs5794]

When is the queen gonna make Mr. Iommi, a Sir?

[@sandipbiswas766]

Pretty sure he declined the offer, or was it just Ozzy who was offered the title of Sir

[@louisfriendhastaste]

Remember Bill......charity begins at home

[@TheWelcome7]

Hawkwind maaaan

[@Danimal300zx]

Ironically and sadly, Tony doesn't seem well either. Looks and sounds like the cancer is really getting the better of him (massive weight loss, weak voice, etc)..

[@robertcam7090]

what about Martin? Mister Iommi!?

[@salvatorenastasi6475]

Lemmy did so much drugs that he could barely do anything else than playing all day at video games. Pitiful.

[@wyldeyouth]

Haha. He always met people at the bar, socialising and having fun with friends and fans. Something wrong with that when your getting old? You are quite pitiful yourself with such a lame fucking fingerpointing

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

He had good pr. His lifestyle destroyed his body, but he did a good job hiding it the last decade. He was an extremely unhealthy man, unfortunately. RIP Ian.

[@rexrogers1859]

Did you think that up all by yourself with no help??? Good for you!!!

[@artfasil]

Motorhead was all about amphetamines and if you do strong pure speed you can go on forever drinking and whatever.

[@surewhynot6040]

Eh, the lemmster wasnt that great. Iommi on the other hand was the riff master of his time. Brilliant.

[@madarhorsev]

🎉

[@mcfcguvnors]

lemmy would order a drink at the rainbow bar & grill - bar maid would bring him his FUCKING MAIL !! :D