Black Sabbath Still Set To Rock Download Fest Despite Tony Iommi’s Cancer Diagnosis

Black Sabbath will indeed go ahead and with their scheduled headlining set at this summer’s Download Festival in England, despite the recent announcement that Tony Iommi is battling lymphoma. The guitarist revealed just two weeks ago that he had been diagnosed with early stages of the cancer and is in the process of working with doctors to determine the best course of treatment.

“As far as I’m aware everything is fine. I’ve been told that Black Sabbath are going to be playing Download,” festival organizer Andy Copping told NME. “I don’t want people to worry unduly about that, we should all just send our thoughts and best wishes to Tony Iommi.”

Black Sabbath pulled out of a scheduled but not-yet-announced headlining slot on this year’s Coachella Festival bill due to the diagnosis, prompting fears that other dates would be cancelled.

The 10th annual Download fest, which takes place June 8-10 at Donington Park, England, will also feature Metallica, Soundgarden, Anthrax and many more acts. Black Sabbath will headline the final night, Sunday June 10, while Metallica will perform their 1991 self-titled album (aka the Black Album) in its entirety during their top-lining spot on the previous night’s bill.