Rare tracks reveal how Sabbath got their start

Band’s first manager to release early recording of rock legends

- STAFF REPORTER

A UNIQUE album of recordings from the pre-Black Sabbath days of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward is to be released next month.

Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes was 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 mid-80s and still ubiquitous on the Midlands' music scene, has found the tracks he recorded when Ozzy and co were youngsters who made up the band called Earth.

The release comes after Black Sabbath performed their last concert with all four original members on Saturday at Villa Park as part of a massive heavy metal extravaganza.

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.