Sharon Osbourne has threatened legal action against Black Sabbath’s original manager following a heated dispute over his intentions to release previously unheard recordings featuring her late husband Ozzy.
Music promoter Jim Simpson had announced back in June that he planned to put out an album containing unreleased material from when the band were still performing under the name Earth 57 years ago.
However, the former X Factor panellist has now called on supporters not to purchase The Legendary Lost Tapes compilation, questioning the legitimacy of who owns the recordings.
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In a furious outburst, Sharon, 72, accused Mr Simpson of taking advantage of her husband’s passing and called him a “pig”, stating: “I don’t care what the f**k your name is.”
Mr Simpson has since hit back at Sharon over what he described as “inaccurate, unfair and potentially defamatory” remarks made during The Osbournes Podcast.
The music promoter, now in his 80s, maintains he funded the studio sessions in 1969 when the Prince of Darkness, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward still went by the name Earth.
Sharon Osbourne has urged fans not to buy a new album of unheard Black Sabbath tracks, while accusing the man behind the release of being a “pig” who is “trying to get away with this”
He has since restored and digitally remastered every recording but has postponed the album’s launch following Sharon’s legal threats.
During the podcast presented by son Jack, who recently joined the I’m A Celebrity camp, Sharon remarked: “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.
“He finds this little record label, which the guy who runs it has gone seven times bankrupt, which is fine.
“And he does a deal with this little record label to take the tapes and now distribute them.
“We found out and we have been going back and forth saying we will sue you, you cannot do this.
“He’s never said you’ll get a royalty, not one penny. He thinks he’s going to put out these tapes and he’s going to get 100 per cent of everything for himself.
“I’m sorry, I don’t care what the f**k your name is or where you come from. You are a pig, you want it all, you’re trying to get away with this.
“He could have come to us with the tapes and he would have made a lot of money and Sabbath would have done well. But you cannot do this to Sabbath again.
“I’m putting it out there to every Sabbath fan. Please don’t buy them. Don’t support him because he’s taking 100 per cent.
“He’s lying and saying he will give money to charity. He’s never said what charity or how much money.
“Let it go to a proper record company and be properly distributed, properly produced. You will get money. Don’t do this. How dare you.”
Mr Simpson, who continues to run the Big Bear Music company, responded: “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.
“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.
“I approached members of the band about this on September 24, 2024. The message I got back was that they didn’t want it released and wanted nothing to do with it.
“This included two very threatening emails from Sharon. But the band had every chance to be involved.”
In response to Sharon’s claims on the podcast that Mr Simpson plans to pocket all the profits himself, he stated: “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.”
Sharon Osbourne has urged fans not to buy a new album of unheard Black Sabbath tracks, while accusing the man behind the release of being a “pig” who is “trying to get away with this”
He also rejected allegations that he is being dishonest about donating proceeds to charity, saying: “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.”
During the podcast, Sharon also dismissed Mr Simpson’s contribution to the formation and growth of Black Sabbath, claiming: “For the first 10 years of their career, they made millions and never got a penny.”
Mr Simpson stated: “Under my management, we renamed Earth as Black Sabbath and they became one of the biggest names in heavy rock music, touring extensively and appearing on radio and TV.
Sharon Osbourne has urged fans not to buy a new album of unheard Black Sabbath tracks, while accusing the man behind the release of being a “pig” who is “trying to get away with this”
“I was manager when we released their seminal debut eponymous album Black Sabbath in February 1970 and followed it up with the equally adored Paranoid in September 1970.
“Both charted worldwide and sold millions, with hit single Paranoid reaching number 4 in the charts.
“While under my management, which ended in September 1970, they received proper payments.”
Sharon continues by revealing she has threatened legal action against Mr Simpson should he proceed with releasing the album, though he remains open to finding a resolution.
He explained: “In my email to Sharon on July 4 2025, when she was in Birmingham, 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.
Sharon Osbourne has urged fans not to buy a new album of unheard Black Sabbath tracks, while accusing the man behind the release of being a “pig” who is “trying to get away with this”
“My reason for launching this album now is because it will become a crucial segment of music history.
“It contains recordings that clearly demonstrate what fine music Ozzy, Tony, Geezer and Bill were producing right from the very beginning in their pre-Sabbath says.
“It shows how these four young men from Birmingham, barely out of their teens, were already remarkable musicians when they existed as Earth, and that they fully deserved all the success that was to come their way as Black Sabbath.
“If we can finally release this album, it will be a great gift to the music world and to millions of Sabbath fans.”
