Black Sabbath’s first manager lifts ‘Unsung Hero’ trophy in UK Blues Awards
This year’s ‘Unsung Hero’ trophy in the prestigious UK Blues Awards has been presented to Jim Simpson (pictured), the first manager of Black Sabbath.
Simpson managed Ozzy Osbourne and Tony Iommi’s original Blues band called Earth in 1969, relaunching them as Black Sabbath as they moved into heavy metal, and arranging the release of their legendary albums Black Sabbath and Paranoid in 1970.
He lost control of Black Sabbath shortly afterwards, but more than 55 years later Simpson is still ubiquitous on the Midlands’ music scene with his Big Bear Music company.
Simpson picked up his ‘Unsung Hero’ award at the UK Blues Federation’s awards ceremony in Milton Keynes last week, when he said: “This is quite staggering. Thanks very much indeed. I’m totally overcome!”
The awards on 8 April were hosted by Paul Jones, a former singer of Manfred Mann and presenter of The Blues Show on BBC Radio 2 for three decades.
Jones said: “The first of our special awards pays tribute to those who tirelessly work behind the scenes, out of the spotlight: promoting, encouraging, supporting and nurturing blues music in the UK over a prolonged period.
“This year’s Unsung Hero award goes to the founder of Big Bear Records and the director of Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival.”
Jones told the audience how Simpson, working as a photographer at what was then the Birmingham College of Advanced Technology, now renamed Aston University, formed The New Magnolia Jazz Band, opening for the likes of Humphrey Lyttelton and Kenny Ball.
His introduction to the blues was when his mother took him to see Big Bill Broonzy in 1952, and at the Students' Union he booked artists such as Buddy Guy, Champion Jack Dupree and Jesse Fuller.
After playing the trumpet himself for rhythm and blues band Locomotive, Simpson opened his club Henry's Blueshouse in Birmingham in 1968, where early members included John Osbourne and Anthony Iommi.
Jones explained: “They brought their two mates Terry Butler and Bill Ward and convinced Simpson to promote a gig with their blues band, Earth.
“He became the manager of this band, soon renamed Black Sabbath, and brought them success with their first two hit albums, Black Sabbath and Paranoid, and their first hit single: Paranoid.
“Having parted from the band he turned all his energy into the blues, bringing the top American blues artists to this country, and during this period released 43 albums of American blues on his Big Bear Records label.
“He also loved jazz and swing and in 1985 promoted the Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival, followed by the Jazz Rag magazine – and they both still exist to this day. After all those decades, Henry’s Blueshouse still presents a weekly gig, promoting both British and American touring bands.”
As well as Henry’s Blueshouse, Simpson’s Big Bear Music company also runs weekly gigs called Birmingham Rocks and Brasshouse Rocks Friday in Birmingham, and a branch of Henry’s Blueshouse every Friday in West Bromwich Indoor Market.
Simpson and Bir Bear Music are now busy organising what will be the 42nd consecutive Birmingham Jazz & Blues Festival for this summer, running from Friday 24 July to Sunday 2 August 2026.
