NEWS
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.”
Taylor Swift believes Nashville has a music scene that stands apart from anywhere else.
The 36 year old singer moved to Nashville, Tennessee, when she was young to chase her dream of becoming a country music star. After being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on Monday (26.10.26), Taylor took the opportunity to recognise the city and the talented writers who have helped shape its music scene.
In her acceptance speech, Taylor said: "I believe you really get to master a craft by doing it again and again. That's exactly what the incredible songwriters in this wonderful town do every day."
Taylor also spoke about what makes Nashville such a special place for musicians.
The award winning singer, who ranks among the best selling music artists of all time, said: "You won't find another music community quite like this one. Trust me, I've checked them all."
Taylor also shared how being part of Nashville's songwriting scene had taught her valuable lessons about life and working with others.
She joked: "I've learned to be flexible when your co writer turns up with a hangover, or when they need to spend ages talking about their divorce before we can even get started on a song."
Taylor previously spoke about how Faith Hill and Shania Twain inspired her decision to move to Nashville.
Speaking to Time magazine, the singer said: "I couldn't get enough of watching TV biographies about Faith Hill and Shania Twain, and I realised they had both moved to Nashville to get their careers started. After that, I kept asking, pleading and begging my parents to take me there.
"When I was 11, my mum took my brother and me to Nashville during spring break, and we spent the trip driving around Music Row. She stayed in the car while I rushed into record companies one after another, giving my demo CD to the receptionists. I found it fascinating that so many major record labels were gathered along a single street, often inside little buildings and old houses.
"What really stayed with me was how welcoming people were to newcomers and complete strangers like us. We started visiting Nashville more often, and when I was 13, I received an offer for a development deal from a major record label. That was when my parents finally agreed to leave Pennsylvania and move with me."
