Apparently, Tony from Black Sabbath is obsessed with Armenia. Who knew?

Quite frankly, I’m surprised that it’s taken me this long to write about the Eurovision song contest; of course, it’s only been now that news has been coming in on Eurovision news. All right, now there’s actually two pieces of news I need to inform you of.

But, first things first, Black Sabbath guitarist/only constant member Tony Iommi has written a song for this year’s Armenian representatives to the Eurovision contest Dorians. The song is a “rock balled” called “Lonely Planet.” Iommi has been fascinated with Armenia since at least 1988, when he performed a concert in benefit of the Spitak earthquake of 1988.
When asked why one of the founding fathers of heavy metal has gotten involved in that most MOR of contests, Iommi said: “I first said, ‘Oh God, I don’t know’ – it seemed really strange, me doing a Eurovision song. I don’t usually do that. But I said, ‘I’ve got a rock ballad; I’ll send it over’. The thing is, I’ve always thought, ‘Oh no, not the Eurovision,’ and here I am in it now.”

Iommi will not perform at the concert, but he will release the Black Sabbath album “13,” which will be the first album Black Sabbath has recorded with Ozzy Osbourne since 1978. The album will be released in June.

But, I know what you’re thinking, who’ll represent the UK in this contest? Well, it’s been confirmed that Bonnie Tyler, singer of such hits as “It’s a Heartache,” “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, and “Holding Out for a Hero,” will represent the UK this year.

The song is entitled “Believe in Me”, and was written by Lauren Christy, Christopher Braide, and Desmond Child, who, it should be added, has worked with Tyler throughout her career, and has also written the Ricky Martin hits “Livin’ La Vida Loca” and “She Bangs.”

Quoth Bonnie Tyler: “I promise to give this everything that I’ve got for the UK! I am truly honoured and delighted to be able to represent my country at Eurovision, and especially with such a fabulous song.”

The UK was represented by Engelbert Humperdinck at Eurovision in 2012 with the veteran crooner finishing second last and scoring just 12 points. Other artists to represent the UK in recent years include Scooch, Andy Abraham, Jade Ewan and boyband Blue.

The semifinals of this year’s Eurovision contest kicks off on May 14 in Malmö, Sweden.