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BLACK SABBATH GUITARIST PENS ARMENIA'S EUROVISION SONG ENTRY
Tony Iommi said the song 'Lonely Planet' was a 'demo idea' which went
on to become Armenia's Eurovision contender
guardian.co.uk
Wednesday 6 March 2013 18.28 GMT
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/mar/06/black-sabbath-tony-iommi-eurovision-armenia
Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath has Armenian connections as he helped
raise funds after an earthquake there in 1988. Photograph: Dave
Etheridge-Barnes/Getty Images Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has
written the music for Armenia's entry to the annual Eurovision Song
Contest, bringing a heavy metal pioneer to an event described by the
media as a "kitschfest" and "bad taste party".
The musician, a founding member of the influential British band,
said the song called "Lonely Planet" was a "demo idea" which was
eventually voted Armenia's Eurovision contender.
It is due to be performed by the Dorians in the semi-finals on 16
May in Malmo, Sweden, Iommi said.
Iommi has connections in Armenia as he was one of several rock stars
who helped raise funds after a huge earthquake in 1988 killed 25,000
people and let tens of thousands homeless in the then Soviet Armenia.
He was given an order of honour by Armenia during a visit in 2009 and
became involved in another project, to re-build a music school there.
Despite critical derision, Eurovision is watched by a television
audience of tens of millions each year, and has helped launch the
career of one of the biggest acts of all time, Abba, which won in
1974 with "Waterloo".
Last year's Eurovision Song Contest was held in Azerbaijan and won
by Swedish act Loreen. The victory means Sweden hosts the competition
this year.
Iommi has joined fellow founding members Ozzy Osbourne (vocals) and
Geezer Butler (bass) to record Black Sabbath's first new album in 33
years, 13", which is due out in June.
Drummer Brad Wilk joined them after original band member Bill Ward
pulled out of the reunion recording over a contract dispute.
The band's plans for a tour in 2012 were scaled back drastically after
Iommi was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment for lymphoma.
Tony Iommi said the song 'Lonely Planet' was a 'demo idea' which went
on to become Armenia's Eurovision contender
guardian.co.uk
Wednesday 6 March 2013 18.28 GMT
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/mar/06/black-sabbath-tony-iommi-eurovision-armenia
Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath has Armenian connections as he helped
raise funds after an earthquake there in 1988. Photograph: Dave
Etheridge-Barnes/Getty Images Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has
written the music for Armenia's entry to the annual Eurovision Song
Contest, bringing a heavy metal pioneer to an event described by the
media as a "kitschfest" and "bad taste party".
The musician, a founding member of the influential British band,
said the song called "Lonely Planet" was a "demo idea" which was
eventually voted Armenia's Eurovision contender.
It is due to be performed by the Dorians in the semi-finals on 16
May in Malmo, Sweden, Iommi said.
Iommi has connections in Armenia as he was one of several rock stars
who helped raise funds after a huge earthquake in 1988 killed 25,000
people and let tens of thousands homeless in the then Soviet Armenia.
He was given an order of honour by Armenia during a visit in 2009 and
became involved in another project, to re-build a music school there.
Despite critical derision, Eurovision is watched by a television
audience of tens of millions each year, and has helped launch the
career of one of the biggest acts of all time, Abba, which won in
1974 with "Waterloo".
Last year's Eurovision Song Contest was held in Azerbaijan and won
by Swedish act Loreen. The victory means Sweden hosts the competition
this year.
Iommi has joined fellow founding members Ozzy Osbourne (vocals) and
Geezer Butler (bass) to record Black Sabbath's first new album in 33
years, 13", which is due out in June.
Drummer Brad Wilk joined them after original band member Bill Ward
pulled out of the reunion recording over a contract dispute.
The band's plans for a tour in 2012 were scaled back drastically after
Iommi was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment for lymphoma.