Sharon Osbourne Slams Black Sabbath’s First Manager Over Plans To Release Early Demos

Sharon Osbourne has launched a scathing attack on Jim Simpson, the original manager of Black Sabbath, accusing him of attempting to “vulturously” profit from Ozzy Osbourne‘s death by releasing early band demos without the group’s involvement.

During a recent, emotional episode of “The Osbournes Podcast,” Sharon, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne discussed the behavior of people trying to capitalize on Ozzy’s passing. Sharon saved her most detailed criticism for Simpson, claiming he is planning to release early Black Sabbath recordings, known as the “Earth demos,” and keep all the profits.

Sharon alleged that Simpson has been strategically holding onto the recordings for decades, waiting for the 50-year copyright term to expire so he could claim sole ownership.

“Now, 56 years later, he has tapes, he claims, of Sabbath when they went into demo and get a record deal. They are the Earth demos he claims,” Sharon stated. “He claims ownership because he says he paid the bill for the studio which he says was 500 pounds… Anyway, he claims that he paid so therefore he owns them. And he’s kept it quiet for all these years because they’re now out of copyright, which is 50 years. So he’s been holding, holding and holding.”

Sharon claimed the family has been fighting Simpson over the demos for the last 18 months. She argued that Simpson could have worked with the band at any time and been “financially compensated very well,” but instead chose a deceptive route.

“He keeps it totally quiet, finds a little record company… And he does a deal with this little record label to take the tapes and now distribute them,” she said. “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 percent of everything for himself.”

Sharon connected this move to the band’s notorious early-career financial struggles, during which they allegedly “made millions and never got a penny.”

“He’s treating them the same way. And it’s like, ‘No.’ 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 and you’re trying to get away with this… You cannot, cannot take this work and do this to Sabbath again. The second time it would have happened to them.”

Sharon concluded with a direct plea to Black Sabbath fans, asking them to boycott the potential release.

“I’m putting it out there to every Sabbath fan. If these tapes come out, please don’t buy them,” Sharon urged. “Don’t support him because he’s taking 100 percent. He’s lying and saying he will give money to charity. He’s never said what charity or how much money.”