Sharon Osbourne , wife and former manager of Ozzy Osbourne , released a public response to Jim Simpson Black Sabbath 's first manager , contesting his plans to release recordings from the band when they were still called Earth .
As announced on the Blabbermouth , Simpson claims to have purchased and restored tapes recorded in 1969 by Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward, and plans to release them as Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes . Sharon disputes this claim. According to her, there is no proof of a formal contract that allows Simpson to commercially exploit this material.
In her message, Sharon states that the members of Black Sabbath do not want the demos released. "They haven't listened to the tapes and never agreed to their release," she stated. She also questions Simpson's claims that he paid for the 1969 studio sessions and accuses the record label involved, Big Bear Records , of questionable financial management.
Furthermore, Sharon revealed that she issued a legal opinion to support Black Sabbath's position. Sharon alleges that Simpson did not offer royalties to the band and refused to allow them to listen to the recordings he claims to possess.
In response, Jim Simpson stated that Sharon is maintaining an aggressive and incorrect stance. He defends the legality of his possession of the tapes and claims that his goal is to publish a historical record. "They were just young musicians, but they already showed exceptional talent," he said.
According to reports, the legal impasse has been delaying the release of the recordings. There is still no confirmed date for the official release.
READ ALSO: Black Sabbath's farewell show raises $11 million for charity