The recordings were already made when the group was still performing under the name Earth. Simpson, who represented the group at the time, had a pack of recordings in his possession for over 50 years that never reached the outside world. He recently restored them and wants to release them under the title Earth: the legendary lost tapes.
This does not include Sharon Osbourne, the widow of Ozzy Osbourne, frontman of Black Sabbath, who died in July. On Instagram she shares emails she recently sent to Simpson, in which she explains her objections to the project.
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“As you know, the band does not want these recordings released, mainly because they have not yet heard them, despite your long-ago commitment to provide copies,” she wrote. She emphasizes that if the release goes ahead “against the band’s wishes,” Black Sabbath will take legal action in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Owner or not?
Jim Simpson believes he can do whatever he wants with the recordings because he paid for them at the time. “I also think it is a shame that Sharon immediately goes on the public attack without first listening… It is not reasonable that she immediately makes such threats,” she said.
But Sharon Osbourne stands by her opinion. “Simpson claims to be the owner of the recordings, but he reportedly paid barely 600 euros. You don’t own music for that amount of money, do you? Even at that time.”