Jim Simpson, Black Sabbath’s original manager, has described planned releases of recordings made in 1969, when the band briefly performed as Earth. He regards the demos as an important historical record of Birmingham’s contribution to rock music, but their release was halted after Sharon Osbourne raised legal objections and said the band’s approval was required.

The recordings feature Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward before Black Sabbath adopted its famous name. Simpson said he discovered renewed interest in releasing them after playing the tapes to Ward, and intended to donate royalties to St Basils, a Birmingham charity supporting homeless young people; negotiations over a possible release were reportedly still continuing in early 2026.