The Sheffield Scenester

Imagine my pleasure and surprise to find that Tony Iommi (generally considered to be the founding father of all that is metal today) was coming to Sheffield as part of his book signing tour. His book ‘Iron Man’ is the story of how he began in music, how a near crippling accident forced him to change his style of play and of course his years with Sabbath, working both with Ozzy and Dio.

So arriving an ungodly three hours early I joined the already long queue, bought the book, and sat on the flagstones outside Waterstone’s in Orchard Square and started reading. After a lot of OTT security and organisation, we were eventually let inside the store, in groups of twenty, mind you...we were allowed to wait inside whilst they played a bit of Sabbath through the PA...just to get us in the mood!

At last Tony arrived, looking well tanned and very relaxed, he greeted us all with a polite “Alright?” before taking a seat. We all shuffled along as security ordered us to the table one at a time, when it came to my turn I was greeted with a firm handshake and a smile.....

“Hello” he said,

“Afternoon” I replied,

“Yeah, a bloody cold one isn’t it?”

By this time he’d finished signing my book so I thanked him with the phrase “Cheers man”

With a parting smile he said “No problem!”

And that was my encounter with a man I’d long considered a hero, it was a long afternoon....but rewarding, as he was a lot more polite and friendly than a lot of book signings I’ve been to!

While waiting I noticed that on Thursday 27th October Jarvis Cocker, one of Sheffield’s most famous musical exports will be in Waterstone’s to sign his book of selected lyrics, expect an even longer queue for this one though!