Imagine a world where the legendary guitarist Tony Iommi collaborates with the iconic Robert Plant. It’s a dream many rock fans have fantasized about, but here’s the surprising part: it almost happened—multiple times. Yet, despite their mutual respect and shared history, the stars never quite aligned. But why? Let’s dive into the fascinating story of missed opportunities, jam sessions with Led Zeppelin, and the one collaboration Iommi still dreams of.
Back in 2000, Tony Iommi, the mastermind behind Black Sabbath’s iconic riffs, released his first solo album, aptly titled IOMMI. This project was five years in the making and featured an impressive lineup of younger musicians who idolized him, including Billy Corgan, Dave Grohl, and Serj Tankian. While the album was a testament to Iommi’s influence, it was criticized for having too many collaborators in the songwriting process. Despite its artistic merit, IOMMI peaked at a modest #129 on the US Billboard chart, leaving fans and critics alike wondering what could have been.
But here’s where it gets controversial: In a 2020 interview, Iommi revealed he turned down collaboration offers from Eminem and Kid Rock during the album’s production. At the time, he had no idea who they were. ‘Who the bloody hell is Eminem?’ he recalled thinking. While these collaborations might have boosted the album’s mainstream appeal, it’s anyone’s guess whether they would have produced timeless tracks. Would you have wanted to hear Iommi riffing alongside Eminem? Let us know in the comments!
Despite these oversights, Iommi has always been open to working with his admirers. However, there’s one collaboration that has eluded him: Robert Plant. After sharing the stage with legends like Ozzy Osbourne, Ronnie James Dio, and Ian Gillan, Plant remains the final frontier for Iommi. ‘I’d tried to do [a project] before with Planty and a few others,’ Iommi said in 2020, ‘but it was so hard because of management and all that.’
And this is the part most people miss: While Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath are often seen as the twin pillars of hard rock and metal, their paths rarely crossed creatively in the 1970s. Yet, Iommi insists the bands had a friendly relationship. ‘Black Sabbath used to jam with Led Zeppelin all the time,’ he told Sirius Radio. ‘We’d be trying to rehearse, and they’d come interrupt us. I’ve got some tapes floating around the house.’
One particularly memorable jam session took place at Morgan Studios in London. John Bonham, Plant, and John Paul Jones dropped by to join Sabbath, with Bonham insisting they play ‘Supernaut’. ‘Of course, he didn’t play it right,’ Iommi recalled with a laugh, ‘but we just carried on and went into a jam.’
Iommi’s admiration for Plant never wavered. In 2025, he personally invited Plant to perform at Black Sabbath’s farewell concert in Birmingham. Plant politely declined, explaining to Mojo magazine, ‘I said, ‘Tony, I’d love to come, but I can’t. I just don’t know anything about what’s going on in that world now.’
This response doesn’t bode well for the long-awaited Iommi-Plant collaboration—unless, of course, Tony decides to explore country-folk. Is this dream collaboration still possible, or is it a ship that has sailed? Share your thoughts below!
From missed opportunities with Eminem to jam sessions with Led Zeppelin, Tony Iommi’s career is a testament to the power of collaboration—and the occasional regret. While the Iommi-Plant project remains a tantalizing ‘what if,’ one thing is certain: Iommi’s legacy as a pioneer of rock continues to inspire generations. What’s your favorite Iommi collaboration? Let us know in the comments!
