Early recordings from the band Earth, before they became Black Sabbath, set for release.
A compilation of pre-Black Sabbath recordings from when the band was known as Earth is set to be released on July 25 by Big Bear Records.
“Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes” captures the early days of the band in 1969, recorded by music promoter Jim Simpson, who later became Black Sabbath’s first manager.
Simpson, now in his mid-80s, discovered these tracks from the band’s formative years. He explains, “Before Black Sabbath, the band went by the name Earth – a blues-driven force already gaining recognition. This new release showcases rare early recordings from that time, remastered from forgotten tapes. These recordings clearly highlight the quality of music they produced right from the start. We recorded these tracks at Zella Studio in Birmingham in 1969, but held off on releasing them as their style was rapidly evolving.”
The album features previously unreleased tracks, demos, and alternate takes, providing insight into Earth’s transformation as they moved towards the heavy metal sound that would revolutionize rock music.
Beginning with blues covers like “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Evenin'”, and “Wee Wee Baby”, the collection also includes different versions of “Song For Jim” and the emergence of heavy metal in tracks like “Untitled”, “Free Man”, “Wicked World”, and “Warning.”
“Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes” is being released by Big Bear Records, Simpson’s own label, established in 1968 and the UK’s oldest independent recording company. Simpson managed Black Sabbath during their early years, overseeing the release of their first self-titled album followed by “Paranoid” in 1970.
“These recordings illustrate Earth’s progression from a blues band through experimentation to the music that propelled them into the spotlight as Black Sabbath and defined Heavy Metal,” Simpson adds.
Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne are set to bid farewell with a final show in Birmingham on July 5. Dubbed “Back To The Beginning”, this event will feature Osbourne performing solo before joining his Sabbath bandmates for a special performance at Villa Park. The concert will include guest artists paying tribute to the legendary rockers.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit charities including Cure Parkinson’s, Acorns Children’s Hospice, and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
For those interested in learning more about “Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes” and pre-ordering the album, additional details are available.