I'm not going to lie, my main reason for writing about this story is just to post one of my favorite stand-up bits from John Mulaney, coincidentally at the bottom of this post.
Aaaaanyway, back in April of 1988, UK's Kerrang magazine ran an April Fool's news bit that Tom Jones would be joining Black Sabbath for a concept album about a mythical monster visiting a Welsh pit village, taking the material on the on the road with a the Minotaur/Miner Tour.
The fake story made big waves, and eventually got back to Sir Tom Jones himself. In a recent interview with Classic Rock Magazine (via Blabbermouth), Tony Iommi revealed that the two actually discussed the idea:
"I've met Tom a few times. We were talking one day and he said, 'Did you ever see that thing in the press about me joining you guys?' I said 'Yes, I did,' and he said, 'It's not a bad idea, is it?'"
I imagine most people would compare this collaboration to Metallica and Lou Reed's Lulu (our poignant review here) but I think it would be more listenable. We all know how great Sabbath is, and look… despite the silliness of some of Tom Jones' material, the man is a professional and knows how to croon. It would certainly be worth a listen.