Tony Iommi, born in Birmingham, England, is the pioneering guitarist and founding member of Black Sabbath, widely regarded as the godfather of heavy metal. His innovative, downtuned guitar riffs have defined the genre's sound, influencing countless musicians. Despite a factory accident that severed the tips of his fingers, Iommi adapted by creating custom prosthetics, showcasing resilience and ingenuity. With Black Sabbath, he crafted seminal albums like "Paranoid" and "Master of Reality," cementing his legacy as a trailblazer in heavy metal music. ([iommi.com](https://www.iommi.com/biography/?utm_source=openai))