Sharon Osbourne Strikes Back at Ex-Black Sabbath Manager Amid Ongoing Feud
Sharon Osbourne recently responded sharply to Jim Simpson, the original manager of Black Sabbath, amid a public feud. The controversy surfaced following comments Osbourne made on “The Osbournes” podcast, where she criticized Simpson’s intentions to release early demo recordings of the band. Simpson, in turn, condemned her statements as “inaccurate and unfair.”
Details of the Feud
Simpson described Osbourne’s remarks as a misrepresentation of his role and rights regarding the band’s early history. He expressed disappointment at Osbourne’s approach, criticizing her for attacking without seeking direct communication. “It’s such a shame Sharon has decided to go all out on the attack without sitting down to talk about this,” he stated.
Claims Over Demo Ownership
During the podcast, Osbourne questioned whether Simpson truly owned the demos he claimed to have financed. She pointed out discrepancies in financial matters, highlighting that he cited a payment of $658 for studio use, suggesting it was implausible given his financial status at the time. Osbourne remarked, “Now if ($39,504) today is worth (six or eight thousand), what’s ($658)?”
In contradiction, Simpson asserted he regularly financed recording sessions in the late 1960s, including for Black Sabbath’s earlier work. He noted, “At the time, Earth were just the newest of the bands I managed,” emphasizing his financial capability in the industry.
Osbourne’s Counterarguments
Following Simpson’s public response, Osbourne shared her email exchanges with him and Tony Iommi. She maintained that her communications were factual and non-threatening. “As you can see, my emails to Mr. Simpson were not threatening. I was clearly stating the facts about Black Sabbath’s legal position,” Osbourne claimed.
- Osbourne challenged Simpson’s assertion about his label, Big Bear Records, claiming it isn’t the longest-running independent label in the UK.
- She stated that Topic Records, founded in 1939, holds that title.
Additionally, Osbourne disputed Simpson’s description of a partnership with Trapeze Music & Entertainment, raising concerns over its financial stability and catalog legitimacy. She noted that Trapeze is in significant debt, stating, “I seriously doubt that the artists he mentions, or their estates, would have authorized them to be sold in the USA.”
The Continuing Dispute
The ongoing conflict over the ownership of the Black Sabbath recordings suggests that both parties remain steadfast in their claims. As the dispute unfolds, it highlights the complexities surrounding intellectual property rights within the music industry.
