Sharon Osbourne, the wife and manager of the late Ozzy Osbourne, has released a detailed response to Jim Simpson, the first manager of BLACK SABBATH, regarding his plans to release an album of tracks from the pre-BLACK SABBATH era. Simpson, now in his late 80s, claims ownership of the recordings, which he paid for in 1969 when Ozzy and the other three musicians were in a band called EARTH. He plans to release them as 'Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes', but Sharon disputes his legal position and the validity of his claims.
In her response, Sharon clarifies the legal status of the recordings and the record labels involved. She points out that Simpson's claim of Big Bear Records being the 'longest-running independent record label in the UK' is false, as Topic Records, a British folk music label, holds that distinction. She also questions the credibility of Trapeze Music & Entertainment Ltd, a company Simpson is associated with, citing financial debts and a history of bankruptcy. Sharon emphasizes that BLACK SABBATH would never have allowed their music to be released through these labels without proper authorization and royalty payments.
The controversy arises from Simpson's refusal to share the recordings with BLACK SABBATH and his lack of transparency. Sharon highlights that Simpson never offered the band royalties and has continuously withheld the recordings from them. She also mentions that Simpson's invitation for coffee on July 4, 2025, was not accepted due to her schedule, and he was busy with a Q&A session on that day.
Simpson's response to Sharon's initial comments was defensive, accusing her of making 'inaccurate and potentially defamatory' statements. He insisted that he is the legal owner of the EARTH recordings and that he gave BLACK SABBATH members an opportunity to be involved in the release process, which they declined. However, Sharon refutes this, stating that the band was never properly informed and that Simpson's claims are dubious.
The album 'Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes' is expected to feature rare recordings from the EARTH era, including blues covers and a unique flute performance by Tony Iommi. Simpson believes the release will be a significant contribution to music history, showcasing the early musical prowess of Ozzy, Tony, Geezer, and Bill. However, Sharon's response raises questions about the authenticity and legalities surrounding the release, leaving the future of this project uncertain.
