Jim Simpson, the first manager of BLACK SABBATH, has issued a response to what he describes as “inaccurate and unfair criticisms” made by Sharon Osbourne during the latest episode of The Osbournes podcast.
During the episode, Sharon Osbourne expressed strong objections to Simpson’s plan to release an album of early recordings featuring Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, dating back to their time performing as EARTH. Simpson, now in his late 80s, funded the recordings in 1969 and has restored and remastered them for a planned album titled Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes, which is currently delayed due to legal threats from Sharon Osbourne.
In a statement, Simpson rejected her claims, saying: “It’s such a shame Sharon has decided to go all out on the attack without sitting down to talk about this. It’s also very unfair of her to make such inaccurate and potentially defamatory comments.”
On the podcast, Sharon questions Simpson’s ownership of the recordings, saying: “He says he paid the bill for the studio, which he says was £500 … He would have never had that money to pay for a studio in those days.”
Simpson defended his position and pointed to his long-running involvement in the Midlands music scene through Big Bear Music. He said: “At the time, EARTH were just the newest of the bands I managed. During those years, I regularly recorded and paid for recording sessions with bands I managed or played in.
“I’d already had a hit single with LOCOMOTIVE, and record deals with major labels like EMI Harvest and Parlophone. How can Sharon possibly know what I could afford back then? The fact is that I did pay for the EARTH recordings, and they belong to me.”
Sharon further suggested that Simpson kept the tapes hidden until the recordings fell out of copyright. In response, Simpson said: “That’s not the case,” and explained that his career after BLACK SABBATH’s departure focused heavily on blues and jazz. He provided details of his work rediscovering blues musicians, producing albums, launching festivals, and running Big Bear Records. He also stated that he always eventually intended to release the EARTH material.
Simpson said that he approached members of BLACK SABBATH on 24 September 2024 regarding the project, receiving word that they did not want the album released. “This included two very threatening emails from Sharon,” he said. “But the band had every chance to be involved.”
Sharon also claimed on the podcast that Simpson intended to keep all profits from the release. Simpson disputed this, saying: “Sharon is very mistaken. I wanted all band members to receive royalties from the album in the usual way, and I’m still more than happy for that to happen.”
She also questioned his statements regarding charitable donations. Simpson countered: “This is so unfair and potentially defamatory. I have correspondence with St Basils, a charity for homeless young people in Birmingham, dated 21 January 2025, which clearly states that if BLACK SABBATH refuse to accept royalties, then we will pay them to this charity.”
Sharon further criticized Simpson’s choice of record label, implying it was too small for the project. Simpson responded that the album is being released through Big Bear Records, which he has operated since 1968, and that the label is relaunching with a new distribution partnership with Trapeze Music & Entertainment Ltd. He said: “They might not be what Sharon calls a ‘major’, but they are certainly not ‘little’. They are our new partner for the relaunch of all Big Bear Records, not just the EARTH album.”
Sharon also downplayed Simpson’s role during BLACK SABBATH’s formative years and claimed the band did not receive appropriate earnings in their early career. Simpson disputed this, stating: “Under my management, we renamed EARTH as BLACK SABBATH and they became one of the biggest names in heavy rock music… While under my management, which ended in September 1970, they received proper payments. It was when they broke their contract that it all went wrong for them.”
According to Simpson, Sharon has threatened legal action if he proceeds with the album’s release, although she also said he could have made more money by approaching the band directly. Despite the dispute, Simpson expressed willingness to resolve the situation. He said: “In my email to Sharon on 4 July 2025… I suggested it might be fruitful for her and I to meet for coffee to discuss this issue. If they want to strike a deal with me to launch this album, I would therefore be delighted to discuss that with them.”
Simpson says the significance of the recordings remains the driving force behind his efforts to release them. “My reason for launching this album now is because it will become a crucial segment of music history,” he said. He added that the tracks highlight the raw talent of the band’s future members: “It shows how these four young men from Birmingham… were already remarkable musicians when they existed as EARTH.”
Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes features previously unheard studio recordings that document the band’s musical evolution leading toward what would become the heavy metal sound. The album includes blues covers such as “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Evenin’,” and “Wee Wee Baby,” along with two versions of “Song For Jim,” an early “Untitled” track, and early renditions of “Free Man,” “Wicked World,” and “Warning.”
“If we can finally release this album,” Simpson concluded, “it will be a great gift to the music world and to millions of Sabbath fans.”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.