The band Earth later became Black Sabbath. (Jim Simpson via SWNS)
By Ed Chatterton
A unique album of recordings from Ozzy Osbourne's pre-Black Sabbath days is to be released after the long-lost tapes were unearthed, 57 years on.
The previously unheard tracks were written when the Prince of Darkness, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward were still known as Earth.
The songs were recorded during the foursome’s early days in 1969 by music promoter Jim Simpson, who went on to become Black Sabbath’s first manager.
Simpson, now in his 80s, has now found the tracks he recorded when Ozzy and co were youngsters prior to them shooting to rock 'n' roll super stardom.
The tracks will be released next month to coincide with Sabbath's hotly anticipated farewell show at Villa Park on July 5.
The gig is being hailed as the "greatest heavy metal show ever" and will also feature performances by Metallica, Slayer, Pantera and more.
Simpson said: “Before Black Sabbath, the band were known as Earth – a blues-driven powerhouse already making a name for themselves.
"This new release presents rare early recordings from that era, remastered from long-lost tapes.
“These recordings clearly demonstrate what fine music they produced right from the very beginning.
"We recorded these tracks at Zella Studio in Birmingham in 1969, but held back from releasing them as their style was evolving so quickly.
“Now, some 57 years later, the recordings assume a greater importance, illustrating how these four young men from Birmingham, barely out of their teens, were excellent musicians and a fine band, fully deserving of all the success that was to come their way.”
Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes features previously unheard tracks, demos and alternative takes.
Earth – The Legendary Lost Tapes. (SWNS)
It is said to capture Earth’s evolution as they pushed toward the heavy metal sound that would change rock music forever.
The new album begins with three blues covers: Blue Suede Shoes, Evenin’ and Wee Wee Baby.
There are two versions of a track called Song For Jim, the name in the title referring directly to Simpson.
Tony Iommi plays guitar in the first version, and then a rare performance on the flute in the second version.
The beginnings of heavy metal then start to emerge with an ‘Untitled’ track and three more called Free Man, Wicked World and Warning.
Under Simpson’s management, Black Sabbath released their seminal debut eponymous album in February 1970, following it up with the equally adored Paranoid in September 1970.
Simpson lost control of the band when the single was No. 2 and the album was No. 1, but he still considers that he managed some of Black Sabbath’s finest moments.
In detailed sleeve notes, Simpson describes how he launched a club called Henry’s Blueshouse at the end of the 1960s at The Crown pub on Station Street, Birmingham.
Black Sabbath's first manager Jim Simpson sits on the Black Sabbath bench in Birmingham. (Dyson Media via SWNS)
Henry’s showcased emerging bands including Bakerloo, whose guitarist Clem Clempson later guested with Bob Dylan and still regularly plays with Paul McCartney.
Bakerloo’s drummer John Hinch became a founder-member of Judas Priest.
Henry’s also presented emerging ‘progressive’ bands such as Status Quo, Rory Gallagher, Judas Priest, Jethro Tull and Thin Lizzy, plus blues legends like Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup, who wrote That's All Right, My Baby Left Me and So Glad You're Mine, all recorded by Elvis Presley.
On his sleeve notes, Simpson writes: “On Henry’s opening night, two local youngsters joined, one a singer [Ozzy], the other a guitarist [Iommi], who were in a blues band called Earth.
“An intermission spot was fixed, and Earth made an instant impact. They were immediately rebooked and soon promoted to the headline spot, quickly becoming Henry’s leading attraction.
“When the guys in Earth asked if I would become their manager, I agreed with alacrity.
"Thanks to the contacts I’d built up, I was able to immediately put them on the road through UK and Europe, playing not just clubs but also radio and TV in Europe.
“These recordings trace the development of Earth, from their days as a blues band through an experimental period to the very threshold of the music that propelled these four young men into the spotlight [as Black Sabbath] and defined Heavy Metal.”
Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes from Big Bear Records will be released on July 25 for $20.61 on CD and $37.10 on vinyl.
