Legendary guitarist Tony Iommi recently expressed his desire for the Hard Rock Cafe to return a prized guitar he had sold them, citing the original agreement they made. Despite his requests, the corporation has yet to comply. This red Gibson SG, affectionately named Monkey due to a sticker on it, was a significant part of Black Sabbath‘s history, being featured on at least four of their groundbreaking early albums. In a candid interview with Guitar World (via Guitar.com), Iommi elaborated on the background of this iconic instrument and the circumstances surrounding its sale.

The Black Sabbath icon revealed that he had retired the Monkey SG guitar because of its immense sentimental and financial value. He explained, “The guy who used to buy memorabilia for the Hard Rock came to England and visited me,” explaining that they discussed the potential sale of some items. “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.” This protective decision illustrates the deep connection Iommi has with his instruments.

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He continued to share that the transaction seemed beneficial at the time, as it would allow the guitar to be displayed safely for fans rather than being hidden away in storage. “He offered to buy it, and it seemed like a good idea because the guitar could be displayed for people to see and kept safe,” Iommi noted. The agreement was clear: should he ever wish to reclaim the guitar, he would be able to purchase it back for the same price. “It seemed fair enough – a good deal,” he emphasized. However, after the memorabilia buyer passed away, attempts to retrieve the guitar from Hard Rock revealed that they had no record of the arrangement.

The Journey of Tony Iommi’s Iconic Monkey Guitar

On Iommi’s official website, the red Monkey guitar is identified as a 1965 model, which became his primary instrument after the bridge pickup on his white Stratocaster malfunctioned during the recording of ‘Wicked World’ for the legendary Black Sabbath debut album. The guitar holds a special place in music history, as it was later donated to the Hard Rock Cafe organization, where it can be seen in their documentary Hard Rock Treasures. Currently, the original instrument is proudly displayed at the Times Square location in New York City, attracting fans and guitar enthusiasts alike.

In the same interview, Iommi disclosed that the Hard Rock Cafe had agreed to lend the guitar to Gibson for the creation of replicas back in 2020. “I think we did about 50 of them, and I own two of those,” he mentioned. The replicas, crafted to closely resemble the original, carry the same wear and tear, including the iconic little monkey sticker. “I have to say they are exactly like the one I owned, and they are what I used in the studio,” he stated, underscoring their authenticity and connection to his legacy.