In a new interview with Guitar World, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi voiced his frustration with the Hard Rock Cafe because the company won’t return his 1964 Gibson “Monkey” SG Special guitar to him. Iommi used that guitar on the early Black Sabbath albums, and the metal legend claims that the original deal gave him the option to buy it back at any time. “I’d retired the Monkey SG because it was too valuable to me; I didn’t want to take it on the road and risk it getting damaged,” Iommi recalls. Hard Rock offered to buy it from Iommi, which “seemed like a good idea because the guitar could be displayed for people to see and kept safe, instead of sitting in a case somewhere in my storage.” The arrangement has been complicated because the man Iommi made the original deal with has passed away. “We tried to get in touch with Hard Rock to get it back and they knew nothing about the deal,” Iommi says. (Consequence of Sound)
In a surprising turn of events, legendary Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has revealed that the Hard Rock Cafe, a global chain known for displaying rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, has refused to return one of his most cherished guitars. Iommi, widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to heavy metal, expressed his frustration and disappointment with the iconic chain, which has been holding on to his instrument for several years.
The guitar in question, a prized piece of Iommi’s collection, was one of the instruments that helped shape the sound of Black Sabbath during the band’s early years. Iommi has long described this guitar as a deeply personal and sentimental item, a crucial part of the band’s development. It is said to have played a significant role in the creation of the band’s groundbreaking album Paranoid, one of the most influential albums in rock history.
Speaking publicly about the ongoing dispute, Iommi described the situation as “baffling” and “disheartening.” In an interview, he explained how the guitar had been left at the Hard Rock Cafe’s London location several years ago for a promotional display, under the assumption that it would be temporarily showcased. However, despite multiple requests for its return, the guitar has remained in the hands of the chain, and Iommi claims he has been met with resistance at every turn.
“I was under the impression that it was a temporary loan, but it’s been years now,” Iommi said. “It’s a very personal item to me, and I’ve asked them many times to return it, but every time they just give me the runaround. I never expected it to turn into a legal issue, but I feel like I have no other choice.”
The Hard Rock Cafe, which is known for displaying memorabilia from some of rock’s most iconic artists, has yet to comment publicly on the matter. However, sources close to the chain have suggested that they may be reluctant to part with such a valuable and significant piece of rock history, especially given Iommi’s stature within the genre.
The guitar itself is a custom-made Gibson SG, fitted with special modifications that Iommi famously used to accommodate his disability, having lost the tips of his fingers in an industrial accident prior to forming Black Sabbath. The instrument is widely considered a vital part of his unique sound, which helped define the heavy, distorted guitar tone that became synonymous with Black Sabbath’s music.
Iommi’s frustration with the situation is compounded by his deep emotional connection to the instrument. “This guitar isn’t just a tool for making music—it’s part of my story,” he said. “I’ve written some of the most important music of my life with it, and it holds memories of a time in my life I can never get back. To have it just sitting in a display case is wrong.”
The dispute has drawn significant attention from fans of Black Sabbath and the broader rock community, many of whom are rallying behind Iommi and urging the Hard Rock Cafe to return the guitar. A petition demanding the guitar’s return has already garnered thousands of signatures, with fans expressing solidarity with Iommi’s emotional connection to the instrument.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Iommi will take further legal action to reclaim his guitar or if the Hard Rock Cafe will eventually agree to return the instrument. For now, the iconic piece of rock history remains locked away in the vaults of the Hard Rock Cafe, while Iommi waits for what he hopes will be a long-overdue reunion with his beloved guitar.
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