Black Sabbath’s early recordings as Earth to be released as ‘The Legendary Lost Tapes’

The album will be made up of demos recorded by the group in 1969

An album of Black Sabbath’s early recordings, when they still went by the name Earth, is set to be released for the first time.

Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward first came together in 1968 and originally named themselves The Polka Tulk Blues Band, before transitioning to Earth shortly afterwards.

In 1969, they recorded a number of demos in Zella Studios in Birmingham that were never released. Later that year they changed their name again to Black Sabbath, after a song they had recently written which itself was named after the 1963 Italian horror film of the same name.

With Sabbath’s huge farewell show set to take place this Saturday (July 5), it has now been announced that an album of demos that Earth recorded in 1969 will be released under the title ‘Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes’.

The project has been overseen by Jim Simpson, the band’s first manager. “Before Black Sabbath, the band were known as Earth – a blues-driven powerhouse already making a name for themselves,” he has said. “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.”

“Now, some 57 years later, the recordings assume a greater importance, illustrating how these four young men from Birmingham, barely out of their teens, were excellent musicians and a fine band, fully deserving of all the success that was to come their way.”

‘Earth: The Legendary Lost Tapes’ will be released on July 25 via Big Bear Records, although it is understood that the members of Black Sabbath are not involved in the release.

Ahead of their final show, Sabbath have been awarded the freedom of the city of Birmingham, with all four members being presented with scrolls and medals by the Lord Mayor.

Last week, the band shared their first behind-the-scenes look at preparations for their upcoming final show.

The Prince Of Darkness has not played a full gig since 2018, and has undergone multiple surgeries and experienced numerous health problems in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease.

Despite his health, Osbourne has said he is “giving 120 per cent” as he prepares for his last performance. “I’ve got this trainer guy who helps people get back to normal,” the singer said. “It’s hard going, but he’s convinced that he can pull it off for me. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. All I can say is I’m giving 120 per cent. If my God wants me to do the show, I’ll do it.”

He had previously told fans that he was “in heavy training” for the Black Sabbath farewell concert, and was back in the gym. Osbourne also said he would only be “doing little bits and pieces” with Sabbath at Villa Park amid his health problems: “I am doing what I can, where I feel comfortable.”