Word has come down that former Black Sabbath keyboard player Geoff Nicholls has passed away after a bout with lung cancer. Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi took to Facebook (post below) to express his thoughts on his loss and the loss to the music community. 

“I’m so saddened to hear the loss of one of my dearest and closest friends Geoff Nicholls. He’s been suffering for a while now with lung cancer and he lost his battle this morning. Geoff and I have always been very close and he has been a real true friend to me and supported me all the way for nearly 40 years. I will miss him dearly and he will live in my heart until we meet again. Rest In Peace my dear friend.”

Geezer Butler commented

“Very sad to hear of old friend and Sabbath keyboard player Geoff Nicholls passing. RIP Geoff.”

Nicholls is best known for playing on the classic Sabbath album Heaven and Hell in 1980 and eight others through 1995’s Forbidden. Prior to that Nicholls was a touring second guitarist, keyboardist, and bassist with Sabbath. He also had some notoriety with NWOBHM band Quartz and performed on solo albums by Iommi and Tony Martin as well.

Ghost Cult sends our heartfelt condolences to Nicholls’ family, friends, and fans at this time.