Report: Black Sabbath Nixed Coachella Gig After Tony Iommi’s Cancer Diagnosis

Music fans going to this year’s Coachella Festival were blessed yesterday with the news of Refused and At the Drive-In reuniting and claiming a spot in the lineup, but today we’ve all been given a punch to the gut. According to Billboard, Black Sabbath were scheduled as one of the headliners for 2012′s Coachella, but have pulled out due to Tony Iommi‘s recent lymphoma diagnosis.

Black Sabbath’s reunion on 11-11-11 was one of the most celebrated happenings of last year, with the original lineup of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward planning to record a new album and embark on a world tour.

The news has hit metalheads especially hard due to the recent passing of legendary vocalist Ronnie James Dio after a battle with stomach cancer. However, Iommi feels strong enough to continue writing for Black Sabbath, with the band is reportedly traveling to the UK to write with the ‘Iron Man’ guitarist.

Current headliners for the Coachella dates are Radiohead, the Black Keys and Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, but it is unknown which act was moved up into Black Sabbath’s spot.

The 2012 Coachella Festival will be held for the first time ever over two separate weekends in Indio, Calif. Dates are April 13-15 and April 20-22.

Send your well-wishes and positive energy to Tony Iommi via Black Sabbath’s official Twitter page.