Black Sabbath's First Manager Fights Back Against Sharon Osbourne's Accusations
Jim Simpson, the original manager of Black Sabbath, has spoken out against Sharon Osbourne's recent criticisms, which he deems 'inaccurate and unfair'. Simpson, now in his late 80s, is determined to release an album of pre-Black Sabbath tracks, a project he has been working on for years. The album, titled 'Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes', is currently on hold due to legal threats from Osbourne.
In a recent podcast, Sharon Osbourne expressed outrage over Simpson's plans, questioning his ownership of the recordings and the validity of his claims. Simpson, however, stands firm, arguing that he paid for the studio sessions and that the recordings belong to him. He also clarifies that he never intended to keep all profits for himself, but rather wanted to share the royalties with the band members.
Osbourne's claims that Simpson is being dishonest about donating proceeds to charity are also refuted. Simpson presents correspondence with St Basils, a charity for homeless young people in Birmingham, which confirms his intentions to donate any unclaimed royalties. Additionally, Simpson addresses Sharon's criticism of his album plans, explaining that he is working with a well-established independent recording company, Big Bear Records, to relaunch the label and distribute the album.
Simpson also clarifies his role in the founding and development of Black Sabbath, stating that he was instrumental in renaming the band and launching their successful career. He emphasizes that the band received proper payments during his management, which ended in 1970. Despite the legal threats, Simpson remains open to discussions and suggests a meeting with Osbourne to resolve the issue.
The album 'Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes' features previously unheard studio recordings from the EARTH era, showcasing the band's early musical evolution. It includes blues covers, a rare flute performance by Tony Iommi, and the beginnings of the heavy metal sound that would define Black Sabbath's success. Simpson believes that the album's release will be a significant contribution to music history and a gift to Black Sabbath fans worldwide.
